Ghana is actively seeking a reset in its relationship with Spain, with senior government officials advocating for deeper diplomatic engagement and more balanced economic cooperation between the two nations. Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang is championing greater opportunities for Ghanaian businesses in the Spanish market, highlighting a current imbalance where Spanish companies flourish in Ghana while Ghanaian firms struggle to establish a significant presence in Spain. She emphasized the importance of reciprocity and deliberate support to help Ghanaian businesses expand into Spain, citing Spanish firm GB Foods, with its substantial operations in Ghana, as an example of successful foreign investment that should be mirrored by Ghanaian ventures abroad.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa underscored the inadequacy of current diplomatic engagement, despite annual trade volumes surpassing $300 million. He pointed out the surprising fact that Ghana and Spain have not exchanged high-level state visits in nearly 60 years of diplomatic relations. Discussions are currently underway to rectify this, with Ghana having extended a formal invitation to Spanish authorities. The Minister expressed optimism that 2026, marking both Ghana’s 70th anniversary of independence and 60 years of diplomatic ties with Spain, presents a prime opportunity to elevate relations through a historic state visit.

In line with strengthening economic cooperation, Vice President Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed the Ghanaian government’s unwavering commitment to investing in critical infrastructure to bolster agribusiness, with a particular focus on tomato production and value addition. This assurance was given during a meeting with GB Foods executives in Barcelona. The initiative aims to reduce Ghana’s reliance on tomato imports while simultaneously expanding the export of processed tomato products. The Vice President stressed that government support for investments across the agricultural value chain will significantly enhance domestic production capacity and strengthen agro-processing within Ghana. She also highlighted the government's commitment to building and sustaining an inclusive system that includes smaller farmers, ensuring no one is left out, thereby creating sustainable jobs, improving rural livelihoods, and driving economic growth.

Teddy Ngu, Director of Corporate Affairs for Africa at GB Foods, revealed that the company has secured approximately 6,000 hectares of land in the Afram Plains for a major tomato project. This initiative is expected to substantially improve tomato supply stability, particularly crucial after recent export restrictions from Burkina Faso. Ngu emphasized that the key to transforming tomato production lies in adopting technology-driven farming methods. He noted that while yields in Ghana and Nigeria average around five tonnes per hectare, compared to 120 tonnes in Spain and 180 in China, there is immense potential in Ghana with the right technology, such as precision irrigation and specialized farming techniques. GB Foods has already demonstrated success in Nigeria by increasing yields from five to 60 tonnes per hectare, expressing confidence that similar gains are achievable in Ghana. This partnership is anticipated to enhance long-term sustainability in the sector, strengthen Ghana’s food security, and further reduce import dependency.

Furthermore, Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang also urged Ghanaians residing in Spain to take full advantage of a newly announced immigration amnesty by the Spanish government. This amnesty is designed to regularize the status of approximately 500,000 undocumented migrants, forming part of Spain’s broader strategy to address irregular migration and offer legal pathways for long-term residents. Addressing the Ghanaian community in Spain, the Vice President assured that the government would support eligible nationals in regularizing their residency and urged them to meticulously follow the required procedures. Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa clarified that applicants must not have a criminal record to qualify for the amnesty, adding that arrangements have been made with the Ghana Police Service to assist Ghanaians in obtaining necessary police clearances. Minister Ablakwa also updated the community on ongoing efforts to seek justice for a Ghanaian student who tragically died in Latvia under unclear circumstances, reaffirming the government's priority in this matter.