President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana met with Burkina Faso’s Captain Ibrahim Traoré to discuss issues of mutual interest, focusing on security threats, economic cooperation, and trade relations. Mahama emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust among regional leaders to collaboratively tackle terrorism and improve trade connectivity. The meeting also covered energy supply and potential direct flights between the two countries.

On Monday, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana held a significant bilateral meeting with Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the Interim Leader of Burkina Faso, in Ouagadougou. This meeting was part of President Mahama’s ongoing visit to West African nations to reinforce Ghana’s commitment to fostering good neighborly relations as an integral aspect of its foreign policy.

Following their closed-door discussions, President Mahama expressed gratitude towards Captain Traoré, particularly for his attendance at the former’s inauguration on January 7 in Accra. The conversation focused on mutual interests, including the situation regarding the Alliance of Sahel States, an entity formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso post their departure from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

During this diplomatic journey, President Mahama also engaged with leaders from Mali and Niger, gathering insights on their diplomatic challenges with ECOWAS. He assured Captain Traoré that he would relay their expressed concerns to other West African leaders at the next ECOWAS assembly. President Mahama emphasized the need to rebuild trust among regional leaders to foster collaborative efforts, even outside conventional regional frameworks.

On the subject of security, President Mahama identified the escalating threat of terrorism, which began in Mali and expanded to Niger and Burkina Faso. He asserted the importance of regional cooperation in combatting this menace, utilizing an African proverb to illustrate the urgency of collaborative action. He indicated that unchecked terrorism could permeate across nations if not collectively addressed.

Economic discussions during the meeting included enhancing trade relations and streamlining transit between Ghana and Burkina Faso. President Mahama highlighted the aspirations for improved transit corridors for Burkinabe importers via Ghana and reiterated the commitment to bolster trade in agricultural products between the two nations.

The leaders also explored the feasibility of establishing a daily direct flight from Accra to Ouagadougou, with interest from a Ghanaian airline. Additionally, discussions on energy included increasing electricity supply from Ghana to Burkina Faso and optimizing the transit system for petroleum products. Notably, President Mahama noted Burkina Faso’s recent acquisition of a storage terminal in Tema, suggesting the potential expansion of an existing pipeline to facilitate fuel transport to Ouagadougou.

In summary, President Mahama’s meeting with Captain Traoré underlines the importance of regional collaboration in addressing both security and economic challenges in West Africa. Through enhanced communication and mutual commitments to improve trade relations and security measures, both leaders seek to foster a stable and cooperative relationship. This meeting reflects a broader vision for sustainable partnerships among neighboring nations, emphasizing the need for trust and joint action for mutual benefit.

Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com

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