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Ghana and Serbia are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on labour mobility, allowing Ghanaian workers to access Serbia's 100,000 work permit initiative this year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced.
He stated that the agreement, aimed at deepening people-to-people engagements and creating economic opportunities, is expected to benefit thousands of Ghanaian youth across various sectors of the economy.
Mr Ablakwa expressed interest in ensuring that Ghana takes full advantage of Serbia's work permit programme, as the second African country to benefit after Egypt signed a similar labour mobility agreement with Serbia.
The Foreign Affairs Minister made the remarks in Accra on Thursday, July 17, 2025, after a closed-door meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Marko ?uri?, who is on a three-day working visit to the country.
Mr Ablakwa said the two countries, through several agreements, are strengthening their bilateral relations, focusing on lithium exploration, artificial intelligence, maritime security, and defence cooperation.
He revealed that Ghana and Serbia have agreed to share technical expertise in lithium exploration.
“Serbia holds 11 per cent of the world's lithium deposits, and we have agreed on technical knowledge sharing so that we can collaborate on exploring those lithium potentials,” he said.
He added that both nations would deepen their collaboration in artificial intelligence, with Serbia currently chairing the Global AI Initiative. This partnership, he noted, also aligns with Ghana’s One Million Coders Programme and the One Billion Dollar Innovation Hub Initiative.
Mr Ablakwa further disclosed that Ghana and Serbia have agreed to enhance defence cooperation, aimed at equipping the Ghana Armed Forces to respond more effectively to the threat of terrorism emanating from the Sahel region.
He also announced plans to offer scholarship opportunities to Serbian students to study courses such as African Sociology and African Studies at the University of Ghana.
The Minister commended the Serbian government for its support to Ghana’s maritime sector, particularly through an ongoing collaboration between the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) and the Vlatacom Research and Development Institute of Serbia. This partnership involves a major upgrade of Ghana’s existing Vessel Traffic Management and Information System.
He noted that the new infrastructure, once fully deployed, would significantly expand the reach of Over-the-Horizon (OTH) Surveillance Technology along Ghana’s coastline.
For his part, Serbian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marko ?uri?, expressed optimism about the mutual opportunities both nations could explore.
He described the Ghanaian government’s 24-hour economy initiative as “inspiring”, and one that offers avenues for Serbian and other European businesses to connect with Ghanaian counterparts and the local economy.
“We see Ghana as a key regional ally and partner, deeply rooted in historic friendship but oriented towards contemporary and future cooperation,” Mr ?uri? said.
He stated that Serbia intends to expand its cooperation with Ghana in agriculture, sports, and defence. He added that he would meet with sector ministers from these areas during his visit.
Mr ?uri? revealed that his government had awarded 51 scholarships to Ghanaian students to pursue higher education in various fields in Serbia and announced that 30 more scholarship slots would be awarded this year as part of the ongoing bilateral relationship.
