Dec 31-2025

The Embassy of Ghana in Japan is pleased to report on the historic State Banquet hosted by His Excellency President Tharman Shanmugaratnam of Singapore in honour of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama during his official State Visit. The event marked the first time a Ghanaian President has been accorded such an honour in Singapore, symbolising the deepening bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. In his official toast, President Tharman welcomed President Mahama with warmth and admiration, noting the decades-long relationship between Ghana and Singapore, built on mutual respect, shared values, and strategic collaboration. President Tharman commended Ghana’s recent economic progress, highlighting Ghana’s ability to “turn crisis into opportunity” through fiscal discipline and structural reforms. He acknowledged Ghana’s improving macroeconomic outlook and the strong foundations being laid for inclusive growth. The banquet provided a platform to spotlight key areas of cooperation: Expanding cold-chain logistics and agri-infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses in Ghana; Advancing carbon market cooperation, with Singapore being the first Asian country to sign an implementation agreement with Ghana; Supporting port modernisation and efficient logistics, particularly around Tema, with Singapore offering technical expertise. The occasion also celebrated the rich people-to-people ties between both countries. Singapore and Ghana enjoy visa-free travel arrangements, robust educational exchanges, and strong collaboration through the Singapore Cooperation Programme. President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to work closely with Singapore across sectors including agriculture, logistics, innovation, and green growth. He expressed appreciation for Singapore’s enduring support and looked forward to deeper cooperation that delivers practical outcomes for citizens of both nations. The Embassy recognises this banquet as a defining moment in Ghana–Singapore relations and is committed to advancing the outcomes of this engagement into concrete partnerships and investment opportunities.