In a pivotal move to strengthen regional stability and economic ties, former President John Dramani Mahama has called for reinforced cooperation between Ghana and Mali, emphasizing the need for joint efforts to combat insurgency and terrorism.
This appeal was made during a news conference held after a closed-door meeting with Malian Prime Minister Abdullahi Maiga, who visited Accra to deliver a special message from Malian President Assimi Goïta.
President Mahama underscored the critical importance of ensuring peace and stability within the subregion. He noted;
“We note what is happening in the geopolitics of our subregion and the unfortunate situation that is unfolding in the Sahel. It is not anything that is new, but it continues to become more grave than it was in the past.’’
H.E President John Dramani Mahama
Highlighting the interconnectedness of regional security, Mahama drew on a Ghanaian proverb to stress the collective responsibility of neighboring countries to address security challenges. He said;
“As I told Mr. Prime Minister, in Ghana, we have a proverb that if your neighbor’s house is on fire, you must assist him to quench it. Otherwise, when it finishes burning down his house, it will spread to yours. And so our security is a common objective, and we must work with each other to make sure that our subregion is safe.”
H.E President John Dramani Mahama
Beyond security, President Mahama acknowledged the enduring economic and social ties between Ghana and Mali. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to fostering trade and ensuring the smooth movement of goods and people across their borders. He reaffirmed;
“We have noted the sovereign decisions of not only Mali, but Burkina Faso and Niger to form a separate confederation. But despite that, God put us together in this subregion for a purpose. And so we continue to intermarry. We continue to trade. We continue to have relationships that go beyond our individual countries, and so we must recognize those.’’
“There’s a significant Malian population that has lived in Ghana for many centuries. And, we continue to make sure that that community is safe and contributing its quota to the economic progress of Ghana.”
H.E President John Dramani Mahama
Commitment to Bilateral Relations
He expressed optimism about future integration and cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized;
“And despite the temporary setback that we’re facing, we must continue to keep our relationships strong. And I believe that eventually, we will be able to integrate ourselves again as one body. And so Ghana continues to remain a neighbor and strong in strong solidarity with Mali.”
H.E President John Dramani Mahama
He also assured a continuous support and initiatives in strengthening the economic ties between the two nations. He stated;
“We also have a significant transit trade between Mali and Ghana, and I assured the Prime Minister to tell my brother, the President, that we will continue to work to make sure that there’s free flow of trade and free movement of people between our countries.”
H.E President John Dramani Mahama
President Mahama’s call for enhanced cooperation between Ghana and Mali underscores the urgent need for joint efforts in addressing security challenges and promoting economic ties within the subregion.
His emphasis on collective responsibility and mutual support highlights the enduring relationships between the two countries, paving the way for a more stable and prosperous West Africa.
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