Serbia and Ghana: A New Alliance in Defense and Economy or Just Another Diplomatic Show?
Marko Đurić, Serbia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, recently visited Ghana where he met with Ghana’s Minister of Defense, Edward Oman Boamah, confirming Serbia’s commitment to intensify cooperation with Ghana, especially in defense. But is this just another diplomatic photo-op or the start of a real strategic alliance?
Serbia and Ghana: Old Friends with New Ambitions
Đurić emphasized that Ghana is a strategic partner in the region and that the two countries can achieve a lot together. He recalled the traditional friendship and cooperation within the Non-Aligned Movement, sounding like a throwback to the past but with modern ambitions.
Defense Cooperation: More Than Words
A cooperation agreement in defense signed in 2019 was highlighted, and Đurić invited Ghana’s defense minister to attend an international arms fair in Serbia. Training programs and exchange of peacekeeping experience are in focus, with Serbia boasting of being a leading participant in multinational operations on the African continent. Is this just diplomatic rhetoric or real military cooperation?
Economy and Investments: Serbia Wants a Piece of the Pie
Ghana is implementing large infrastructure projects worth over $10 billion, and Đurić sees opportunities for Serbian companies to get involved. He stressed that although Serbia’s capacities are smaller than before, it doesn’t mean the Serbian economy shouldn’t be present where it traditionally has been – in Ghana.
Sports and Culture: Bridges of Friendship
Besides defense and economy, a memorandum of understanding was signed in youth and sports cooperation. Đurić pointed out that athletes build bridges and that Serbian athletes are well known in Ghana. This might be an attempt to strengthen ties between the two countries on a human level.
Political Support and Stability
During the visit, Đurić discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and global challenges, emphasizing Serbia’s efforts to maintain regional stability. He also reaffirmed support for Serbia’s territorial integrity, a perennial important issue for Serbia.
What Does This Tell Us?
Is this just another in a series of diplomatic visits full of nice words but few concrete results? Or does Serbia truly want to expand its influence in Africa through Ghana, using defense cooperation, economy, and sports as tools? With infrastructure projects worth billions and Serbia aiming to be a technological and economic leader in the region, this could be the start of something bigger.
Conclusion
Marko Đurić’s visit to Ghana confirmed that Serbia does not want to be a passive observer on the global stage. With a strategic partnership in Africa, focusing on defense, economy, and sports, Serbia is trying to broaden its horizons. But whether this will be a success or just another diplomatic show remains to be seen.
So, what do you think about this Serbia-Ghana alliance? Is it a smart move or just diplomatic theater? Drop your thoughts and let’s see who’s in and who’s out!
Source: Tanjug, B92
