Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has held discussions with Italy’s Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Laura Ranalli, on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Ghana and Italy in key areas of national development.

The meeting focused on expanding collaboration in agriculture, digital development, education and healthcare, with both countries exploring opportunities to deepen their existing partnership.

A major part of the discussions centred on opportunities under Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, an initiative designed to strengthen partnerships with African countries through investment, development cooperation and economic collaboration.

Ghana is among the countries selected to benefit from the initiative, which seeks to support development in strategic sectors, including agriculture, energy, education, healthcare and digitalisation.

Aveyime model farm project receives attention

Agriculture featured prominently in the discussions, particularly the Aveyime model farm project in the Volta Region.

The project forms part of Italy’s broader agricultural cooperation with Ghana and is intended to support modern farming practices, strengthen food production and improve the country’s agricultural value chain.

Italy has been working with Ghanaian institutions and private-sector partners to develop agricultural projects that can improve productivity, create employment and strengthen food security.

The collaboration is also expected to create opportunities for technical knowledge transfer and the application of modern agricultural technologies.

Strengthening education and academic exchanges

The Vice President and the Italian Ambassador also discussed opportunities to deepen cooperation between Ghanaian and Italian educational institutions.

Academic exchanges, research partnerships and institutional collaboration are among the areas being considered.

Such partnerships could provide opportunities for students, lecturers and researchers from both countries to share knowledge, develop professional skills and participate in international academic programmes.

The discussions build on existing educational cooperation between Ghana and Italy, including engagements involving universities and technical training institutions.

Digital development and healthcare cooperation

Digital development and healthcare were also identified as important areas for stronger cooperation.

The two countries are exploring opportunities to support digital infrastructure, innovation and the use of technology to improve public services.

In healthcare, the partnership is expected to support efforts to strengthen medical facilities, improve access to quality healthcare and promote technical cooperation.

Italy has previously outlined development projects in Ghana covering healthcare infrastructure, digital connectivity, agricultural development and vocational training under its cooperation framework.

Ghana-Italy partnership under the Mattei Plan

Ghana’s participation in the Mattei Plan for Africa reflects growing cooperation between the two countries.

The initiative provides a framework for Italy to work with African partners on projects aimed at promoting investment, economic development, skills training and sustainable growth.

For Ghana, the partnership presents opportunities to attract investment, improve agricultural production, strengthen education and expand access to technology and healthcare.

The engagement between Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang and Ambassador Laura Ranalli is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to identify practical areas of cooperation and strengthen relations between Accra and Rome.

Both countries are expected to continue exploring ways to translate the discussions into development projects that can deliver benefits to communities, businesses and institutions in Ghana.

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