Jonathan GANDARI

The Permanent Secretary of @mhtestd attended the Bulawayo Polytechnic Research Conference held jointly with Welwithia University of Namibia at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge in Victoria Falls yesterday.

Zimbabwe–Ghana Launch Joint Commission to Deepen Trade, Investment and Strategic Cooperation Zimbabwe and Ghana have inaugurated the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC), establishing a formal framework to deepen bilateral engagement and advance collaboration in trade, investment and other strategic sectors. The ministerial session of the inaugural JPCC was held in Accra, and was co-chaired by Prof. dr. Amon Murwira and his Ghanaian counterpart, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the host nation. The platform provided a structured mechanism for coordinating relations between the two countries, whose ties date back to the period before Zimbabwe’s independence. In his speech, Prof. dr. Amon Murwira, underscored the historic significance of the moment as Zimbabwe and Ghana formally launched the Permanent Joint Commission on Cooperation (PJCC), marking a new chapter in bilateral relations anchored in structured engagement and economic transformation. He highlighted that the state visit by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to Ghana reflects not only diplomatic goodwill but a reaffirmation of a long-standing relationship rooted in shared liberation struggles, Pan-African solidarity, and a collective vision to eradicate poverty and restore dignity across the continent. Ghana’s early support for Zimbabwe’s independence and its contributions to education and human capital development were cited as enduring pillars of this partnership. Prof. Murwira emphasized that while people-to-people relations between the two nations have long thrived, the PJCC introduces a formal framework to translate historical ties into tangible economic outcomes. He stressed that diplomacy must go beyond rhetoric and directly deliver prosperity—defined in practical terms as access to food, water, shelter, education, infrastructure, and innovation. Central to his remarks was the call to elevate trade and investment as the cornerstone of Zimbabwe-Ghana relations. He noted that despite strong political ties, bilateral trade remains significantly underdeveloped. Zimbabwe is poised to export agricultural products such as beef, sugar, vegetables, and maize seed, while Ghana offers competitive exports including cocoa products, textiles, shea butter, and traditional black soap. The proposal to establish trade warehouses in both countries, alongside improved transport links between cities like Accra, Harare, Bulawayo, and Tema, was presented as a critical step toward reducing logistical inefficiencies and boosting direct trade flows. Prof. Murwira further stressed that true partnership is only realized when countries “break bread together”, a metaphor for shared production, trade, and mutual economic benefit. He called for private sector participation through business forums to catalyse investment and unlock new commercial opportunities. Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the JPCC provides a strategic platform for coordinated action across key sectors. He reaffirmed that Ghana and Zimbabwe’s relationship is deeply rooted in history, from the leadership of the late Kwame Nkrumah in supporting Zimbabwe’s liberation to enduring cultural and personal ties symbolized by figures like Zimbabwe’s founding father, President Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Madam Sally Mugabe. He noted that in today’s complex global environment, stronger intra-African cooperation is essential. The JPCC, therefore, offers an opportunity to align the complementary strengths of both nations. Ghana’s role as host of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat positions it as a gateway to continental markets, while Zimbabwe serves as a strategic entry point into the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Together, these positions create a powerful trade corridor linking West and Southern Africa. Hon. Ablakwa highlighted key sectors for collaboration, including mining, education, and industrial development. Both countries possess significant mineral resources, such as gold, diamonds, lithium, and manganese and can benefit from joint ventures, technology transfer, and value addition to ensure sustainable economic growth. He also emphasized the importance of human capital development, noting Zimbabwe’s high literacy rate and Ghana’s expanding academic institutions as a strong foundation for educational exchange, research collaboration, and skills development, particularly for the youth. Expanded Economic Benefits of the Zimbabwe–Ghana Partnership The establishment of the JPCC has far-reaching economic implications for both countries and the broader African continent: ✅ Increased Bilateral Trade and Market Access By formalizing trade relations and reducing barriers, Zimbabwean and Ghanaian businesses gain access to each other’s markets. This diversification reduces dependence on traditional trading partners outside Africa and strengthens intra-African trade, in line with AfCFTA goals. ✅ Development of Regional Value Chains The partnership enables both countries to integrate their economies into regional value chains. For example, Ghana’s cocoa can be processed using Zimbabwean industrial inputs, while Zimbabwe’s agricultural outputs can be distributed through Ghana’s trade networks. This creates more value within Africa rather than exporting raw materials. ✅Infrastructure and Logistics Growth Plans for trade warehouses and improved transport routes will stimulate investment in infrastructure such as roads, rail, and logistics hubs. This not only facilitates trade but also creates jobs and improves connectivity across regions. ✅ Industrialization and Value Addition Collaboration in sectors like mining and agriculture allows both countries to move from raw material exports to processed goods. For instance, instead of exporting raw cocoa or minerals, joint ventures can focus on finished products, increasing export earnings and industrial capacity. ✅Job Creation and Private Sector Growth Business forums and joint ventures will encourage entrepreneurship and attract investment, leading to job creation in manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, and services. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) stand to benefit significantly from expanded markets. ✅ Knowledge and Skills Transfer Educational exchanges and research partnerships will strengthen innovation ecosystems. Zimbabwe’s expertise in education and Ghana’s growing research institutions can jointly produce a skilled workforce capable of driving economic transformation. ✅Strengthened Continental Integration By linking ECOWAS and SADC markets, the Zimbabwe-Ghana partnership serves as a model for broader African integration. It demonstrates how regional blocs can collaborate to build a unified continental economy of over 1.4 billion people. ✅ Enhanced Economic Sovereignty By producing and trading among themselves, both countries reduce reliance on external powers, aligning with the broader Pan-African vision of self-reliance and economic independence.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐰𝐚 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐫𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 His Excellency President Dr. Emmerson Mnangagwa has arrived in Accra, marking the start of a significant state visit to the sister Republic of Ghana. He received a warm and brotherly welcome at Kotoka International Airport from His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the President of Ghana. Ghana holds a distinguished place in African history as the first country on the continent to gain independence from colonial rule in 1957 under its founding leader, the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Upon independence, Dr. Nkrumah boldly declared that Ghana’s freedom would remain incomplete until the entire African continent was liberated from colonial domination. In line with this vision, Ghana became a hub for liberation movements across Africa, providing support and training to freedom fighters, including those from Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence. Ghana's forward-looking policies positioned the country as a central force in advancing Pan-Africanism and the global Black movement, attracting influential figures such as George Padmore and Marcus Garvey. Today, Ghana and Zimbabwe continue to share a common vision for Africa’s development, particularly the need to harness and add value to the continent’s vast mineral resources as a pathway to industrialization and economic transformation. Ahead of the State Visit, Zimbabwe and Ghana inaugurated a Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC), establishing a formal and institutionalized framework to deepen bilateral engagement and enhance cooperation across key sectors. The JPCC will serve as a structured platform for regular dialogue, policy coordination, and the implementation of joint initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations. It will facilitate collaboration in critical areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, mining, education, infrastructure development, and technology transfer. Through this mechanism, both countries aim to unlock new economic opportunities by promoting business-to-business partnerships, encouraging joint ventures, and improving market access for goods and services. The framework will also help address existing barriers to trade, enhance connectivity, and support the development of efficient logistics systems, including transport networks and trade infrastructure. The JPCC is aligned with broader continental goals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning Zimbabwe and Ghana to play a more active role in advancing intra-African trade and regional integration. By leveraging their complementary economic strengths, the two countries are seeking to accelerate industrialization, create jobs, and drive sustainable economic growth. The establishment of the JPCC marks a strategic shift from informal cooperation to a results-oriented partnerships focused on delivering tangible benefits and shared prosperity for the people of both nations. This development sets a strong foundation for the State Visit by H.E President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to Ghana, as it provides a clear framework through which high-level discussions can translate into concrete agreements and actionable outcomes. The State Visit is therefore expected to consolidate and elevate the work of the JPCC, with both Zimbabwe and Ghana moving beyond symbolic ties to implement practical initiatives in trade & investment; mining; tourism, agriculture; science, technology and innovation and industrial cooperation. It also offers an opportunity for the two Heads of State to endorse key projects, strengthen political commitment, and give strategic direction to the partnership, ensuring that the commission delivers measurable impact and long-term economic benefits.

The Minister of @SkillsAuditDvt, @HonJMuswereJnr has officially launched the Zimbabwe Global Skills Partnership Programme (ZGSPP) and its ZGSPP Digital Hub, the central coordination and governance platform for Zimbabwe’s national skills placement system. zimskills.gov.zw/?p=5241

H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa, has arrived in Accra, Ghana for a 3-day State Visit. #Engagement

Every year since 2013, President Xi Jinping has participated in a voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the nationwide voluntary tree-planting campaign. China's combined forest and grass coverage rate has exceeded 56%, with forest stock volume reaching nearly 20.99 billion cubic meters.

Vice President Hon K.C.D Mohadi is the Acting President while His Excellency is in Ghana on official business.

H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa @edmnangagwa,has left the country for Accra, Ghana for a 3-day State Visit. During the visit, President Mnangagwa will meet his Ghanaian counterpart, President John Dramani Mahama and the two will preside over the first structured JPCC.

This morning, a delegation from the Africa Commission on Human and People's Rights Promotion Mission led by Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie paid a courtesy call on H.E President Emmerson Mnangagwa at his his Munhumutapa offices.

Cabinet approved the streamlining of duplicated and overlapping regulatory licences and permits, removed unnecessary levies and fees and lowered uniustifiably high levies and fees for the financial services sector as per the following highlights: (i) removal of the following fees: - monthly fees for accounts with less than US$100 balances; - fees for transactions less than US$5; - cash deposit charges for both US$ and ZiG amounts; - cash withdrawal fees capped at 2% for both US$ and ZiG; - account opening charges; and (ii) reduction of the fees in the following sub-sectors: • Micro-finance institutions: Insurance and pensions; Mobile money; and • Fintech Capital Markets. The reviewed licences, permits and fees will be subjected to further refinements and a comprehensive schedule will be duly gazetted. #PostCabinetBrief

#PostCabinetBriefing As previously communicated, the 46th Independence Day Anniversary, Celebrations and the 2026 Children's Party will be hosted at Maphisa Growth Point in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province. The Children's Part is scheduled to take place at Mahetshe

#PostCabinetBriefing Cabinet approved the streamlining of duplicated and overlapping regulatory licenses and permits, removed unnecessary levies and fees and lowered unjustifiably high levies and fees for financial services sector

PASSIONATE about skills development? JOIN the @SkillsAuditDvt ministry by clicking zimskills.gov.zw/wp-content/upl… to view and apply

Warmest CONGRATULATIONS to the Zimbabwe Men’s 4x400m Relay Team 🎉🏃‍♂️ on breaking a 29-year-old national record with an outstanding time of 3:00.69 at the Lefika International Relays in Botswana, and securing your spot at the World Athletics Relays on May 2–3! 🥇✨ Hats off to Leeford Zuze, Thandazani Ndlovu, Dennis Hove and Captian-Coach Gerren Muwishi for your incredible dedication, relentless efforts, teamwork and perseverance! 🇿🇼 Wishing you all the best and greater glory at the upcoming World Athletics Relays! 🇿🇼 Go Team Zimbabwe! 💪 @MinSport_ArtsZw #ChinaZimbabweFriendship #ZimbabweAthletics #SportsExcellence #WorldAthleticsRelays

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation @ZBCNewsonline is holding a roadshow in Maphisa today as Matobo District prepares to host the 46th Independence Day celebrations at Maphisa Stadium. Deputy Minister Omphile Marupi is the Guest of Honour. #ZimAt46 #CAB3

The conference, running under the theme, "Regulating the Digital Frontier: Online Broadcasting, Ethics, and Co-Regulatory Models," brought together stakeholders to discuss emerging trends, regulatory challenges and ethical considerations in the evolving digital landscape.

At the Broadcasting Evolution Zimbabwe Conference, hosted by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) today, I called for the strengthening ethical standards across all broadcasting platforms, digital and online included. The timeless values of professional journalism-accuracy, fairness, verification, and public accountability-must remain the bedrock of our media sector, irrespective of technological change.

There is steady progress in road rehabilitation works along the Bulawayo-Kezi-Maphisa road, ahead of the 46th Independence Day celebrations set for Maphisa Stadium.This year's Independence is being held under the theme "Zim@46: Unity and Development Towards Vision 2030" #ZimAt46

"We are witnessing the rapid spread of misinformation and manipulated media all of which threaten public trust, social stability, and democratic discourse. The Government of Zimbabwe, therefore, places a strong emphasis on strengthening ethical standards across all platforms..."

Honored to deliver remarks at the National Capacity Building Workshop on Promoting Juncao Technology in Zimbabwe, jointly organized by the China National Juncao Engineering Technology Research Center, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and @MoLAFWRD_Zim. It is truly inspiring to see this “grass of prosperity” taking root in Zimbabwe—improving rural livelihoods, reducing poverty, and strengthening climate resilience. In just one year, the China-aided Juncao Technology Project has expanded to nine provinces, established 69 demonstration sites, delivered 19 training sessions for over 800 participants, and supported a growing number of farmers in increasing their incomes through mushroom cultivation, feed and fertilizer production. 🇨🇳🇿🇼