The President of Ghana arrived in Mali on Saturday for a one-day visit, during which he and Malian President Assimi Goita discussed economic and security issues, as well as regional tensions.
After this, the Ghanaian leader headed to the neighbouring country of Niger.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to restore trust between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following months of tension between the two blocs.
Speaking in Bamako on Saturday, Mahama acknowledged “a breakdown in trust” and assured that “we will do everything possible to restore this trust.”
During his visit to Mali, Mahama emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and economic cooperation.
“Our discussions focused on bilateral relations, particularly economic exchanges, and the contribution of the Malian diaspora in Ghana to the economies of both countries,” he stated.
The discussions aimed at boosting trade exchanges, especially through the development of the southern corridor, which facilitates the transit of goods between Mali and Ghana.
The Ghanaian president highlighted the necessity to improve infrastructure and simplify customs procedures to make these exchanges more efficient.
Furthermore, the two leaders talked about reactivating the joint cooperation commission between Mali and Ghana, which last convened in 2011.
They agreed to take steps to revive this mechanism in order to strengthen their partnership across various sectors.
Security issues, particularly counterterrorism efforts, were also key topics of discussion.
The dispute between AES—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—and ECOWAS escalated after the three nations announced their withdrawal from the regional bloc in response to sanctions imposed on their military-led governments.
While the three states formed the Alliance of Sahel States in July 2024, ECOWAS has extended a grace period for them to reconsider their decision.
Source: The Star
