In a significant move to strengthen their economic ties, Ghana and Denmark have pledged to enhance cooperation focused on sustainable industrial development, agribusiness, renewable energy, and technology transfer. This commitment emerged from high-level discussions held in Accra.
Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry Minister Elizabeth Ofosu Adjare met with Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Jakob Linulf, during which they explored new avenues for collaboration that align with Ghana’s industrial transformation goals and Denmark’s emphasis on green growth. Both parties stressed the importance of forging sustainable partnerships that foster private sector involvement, innovation, and inclusive economic progress.
Minister Adjare reiterated Ghana’s dedication to creating a competitive business environment aimed at attracting foreign investment, particularly in industries that add value and focus on exports. Denmark expressed its keen interest in expanding trade and development cooperation, with plans for joint ventures, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives.
The two governments are currently considering a potential Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to formalize their future collaborations and streamline bilateral trade efforts. This dialogue is part of ongoing endeavors to reinforce economic ties between the nations.
This engagement builds upon Denmark’s enduring support for Ghana’s economic initiatives, especially in the realms of renewable energy and governance reform. It also reflects a broader trend among Nordic countries keen to invest in Africa’s burgeoning green economy.
During previous meetings at the Foreign Ministry in Accra, Ambassador Linulf had suggested the possibility of establishing a Green Strategic Partnership with Ghana, underlining the necessity for collaboration in agriculture and environmental sustainability. This proposal aligns with Ghana’s diplomatic objectives, which call for envoys to achieve a minimum annual trade increase of 10 percent with their host nations.
Denmark is currently engaged in several Strategic Sector Cooperation projects in Ghana, which support various developmental initiatives. Collaborations include efforts in water supply, wastewater management, maritime sector enhancement, and the use of administrative data for official statistics production.
Recently, Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Sampson Ahi, led discussions in Copenhagen with Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Jacob Jensen. These talks highlighted Ghana’s competitive advantages, such as its youthful population and vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, while prioritizing the modernization of agribusiness in their bilateral discussions.
Ahi has called upon Denmark to share its expertise and invest in precision agriculture, irrigation systems, cold chain logistics, and food processing technologies. Highlighting Ghana’s capacity to generate up to $900 million annually from improved cold chain systems in its fruit and vegetable sectors, he emphasized the importance of advancing along the agricultural value chain.
The Chamber of Agribusiness recently signed MoUs with the Danish Embassy in Accra, focusing on organizing annual agribusiness exhibitions and conferences, as well as promoting vocational and technical training in the sector. Denmark previously contributed 10 million Danish kroner (approximately $1.8 million) to the Agriculture Fast Track Fund.
In August 2024, Denmark announced a strategy to bolster engagement with African governments, businesses, and civil society. Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen outlined this initiative, illustrating Denmark’s vision for “Africa’s Century,” which emphasizes enhanced trade and investment across the continent.
In the second half of 2025, Statistics Denmark is set to unveil new Strategic Sector Cooperation projects dedicated to supporting the green transition. These will involve the development of essential primary statistics to facilitate macroeconomic modeling for climate-related policies. Additional Danish authorities, including the Ministry of the Interior and Health, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Danish Patent and Trademark Office, are also poised to initiate collaborative efforts.
This move presents Ghana with opportunities to capitalize on Denmark’s expertise in clean technologies and sustainable industrial practices, while Danish companies stand to gain improved access to the growing consumer and industrial markets of West Africa. Positioned as the host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) headquarters, Ghana facilitates access to a market of over 1.2 billion people and a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion.
According to the 2024 United Nations (UN) E-Government Development Index, Denmark ranks first globally, showcasing its leadership in digital public services. In contrast, Ghana ranks 108th, indicating ample room for technical cooperation. Since 1958, Denmark and Ghana have cultivated active bilateral relations, with the European nation supporting Ghana in its economic development, peace and stability efforts, and initiatives aimed at health, transportation, private sector growth, and poverty reduction.
This partnership aligns seamlessly with Ghana’s National Industrial Transformation Agenda and the global Sustainable Development Goals, offering a mutually beneficial framework for green growth and innovation-driven trade. The emerging cooperation model emphasizes equitable partnerships and collaborative peer-to-peer engagement in policy development, regulatory efforts, planning, enforcement, and implementation.
