The UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury, is set to visit Ghana on 17th September, marking his first trip to West Africa. His visit aims to strengthen the long-standing partnership between the UK and Ghana across several sectors, including technology, food security, and green energy.
During his stay, Lord Collins will engage with government officials, leaders in Ghana’s tech and innovation industries, and civil society organizations to address shared concerns such as democracy and security. He will also announce new UK funding to support various initiatives in Ghana.
Key funding announcements include:
- £3.8 million, in collaboration with Shell Foundation, to improve access to green energy for Ghanaians.
- £1 million to support Ghana’s response to drought.
- £500,000 for a food fortification programme in northern Ghana, aimed at enhancing nutrition by incorporating essential vitamins and minerals into school meals.
Ahead of his visit, Lord Collins emphasized the importance of the UK-Ghana relationship, saying, “The UK and Ghana are close friends, and my visit is about deepening our partnership for closer collaboration across various sectors, from green growth to food security.”
British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, expressed her excitement for the visit, noting that it highlights the significance of Ghana to the UK’s strategic goals in West Africa.
Lord Collins, who was appointed as the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in July 2024, will also discuss innovation and technology as part of the Sankore Call for Proposals, which seeks to strengthen collaboration between universities and the private sector in West Africa.
Source: ghananewsonline.com.gh