Đurić: Outstanding reception and treatment of the Serbian Delegation in Ghana

On the first day of his official visit to the Republic of Ghana, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Marko Đurić, emphasized that Ghana is a long-standing, traditional, and loyal friend of Serbia in this part of the world. He recalled that Ghana was among the first African countries to raise the banner of anti-colonial struggle, beginning its path to independence in 1957 and achieving it in 1960 under the leadership of President Kwame Nkrumah, a close ally of Josip Broz Tito. Minister Đurić noted that Serbia continues to uphold the principles of non-alignment today, fostering partnerships with the peoples of Africa.

Minister Đurić highlighted that highly substantive talks were held with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture of Ghana, and that meetings with the Ministers of Culture, Sports, and Defense are also planned. He particularly underlined Serbia’s recognition of Ghana as a significant economic partner, describing it as one of the most promising markets globally characterized by a youthful population with an average age of 20 and consistent economic growth of 4 to 5 percent, even during less favorable years. He assessed that such indicators make Ghana an excellent export market for Serbian companies.

He announced that defense-related topics would also be discussed during the visit, with potential for new engagements of Serbia’s defense industry. Agreements in the field of agriculture have already been reached, opening opportunities for Serbian scientific institutes, agricultural institutions, and manufacturers of agricultural machinery.

In his remarks to Serbian media, Minister Đurić pointed out that the conference center in Accra is being constructed by the Serbian company “Energoprojekt” and that there are many other business opportunities in Ghana for Serbian enterprises.

He further emphasized that approximately 50 Ghanaian students are currently studying in Serbia, and that Ghana’s Foreign Minister proposed the idea of Ghana offering scholarships to Serbian students to study African history, culture, arts, and sciences at the University of Ghana—one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the region.

Minister Đurić expressed appreciation for the exceptionally warm welcome extended to the Serbian delegation, noting that Ghanaian officials had pointed out that even during the recent joint visit by Nordic foreign ministers, the number of meetings was fewer than those held with the Serbian delegation over the course of their three-and-a-half-day stay.

He underscored the significance of Ghana’s consistent respect for and support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, adding that Ghana stands as a true ally in the defense of the UN Charter and respect for international law. He stressed that such support carries particular importance for countries like Serbia, especially in this year, which marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. He explained that visits such as this help strengthen support for Serbia in international institutions, including the UN General Assembly on matters concerning Kosovo and Metohija.

The Serbian Foreign Minister also shared impressions of President Mahama’s vision for economic transformation and regional stabilization in the Sahel, drawing a parallel to Serbia’s own experience over the past decade. He noted that Ghana, much like Serbia, had endured a difficult economic period but launched reforms, implemented fiscal consolidation measures, and embraced a culture of diligence and accountability in public finances. In that context, Ghana promotes the concept of a 24-hour economy, emphasizing fully active public services and increased productivity in the private sector.

Minister Đurić affirmed that Serbian officials see the African continent as a continent of the future—not only because of its young population, but also due to the determination of its peoples to independently build a better future. This potential represents a developmental opportunity for Serbia.

"A forward-looking Serbia that is ambitious and does not limit itself to its immediate neighborhood has the opportunity to connect with countries where wealth is still being created through hard work. This is our comparative advantage, even on the European path," Đurić emphasized.

He observed that African countries—especially stable and influential ones such as Ghana—strive to avoid dependency on major powers when procuring military equipment. When this process is conducted in cooperation with equal and friendly nations like Serbia, it allows them to preserve an independent policy free from political conditionality. This, he said, presents a valuable opportunity for Serbia’s defense industry to supply countries committed to stability and the fight against terrorism, extremism, and radical ideologies. The Minister highlighted that such relations are based on mutual trust and shared values, including respect for international law and the sovereign equality of states.

Finally, Minister Đurić welcomed the decision of the Government of Serbia to designate 1 September as Non-Aligned Movement Day in Serbia, describing it as a symbolic gesture of deep respect for nations that once endured colonial oppression and are today emerging as new economic and political forces in the world.