President of Ghana arrived in Mali on Saturday for a one-day visit where he and Mali’s President Assimi Goita focused on important issues such as economic growth, security, and regional challenges.
After the visit, the Ghanaian president traveled to Niger.
During his trip, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama worked to rebuild the trust that had been lost between the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which had faced rising tensions.
He acknowledged the existing distrust and promised efforts to mend the relationship.
The two leaders discussed strengthening their countries’ bilateral ties, particularly focusing on economic cooperation.
One of the key areas of their talks was how the Malian diaspora in Ghana contributes to both nations’ economies.
They also touched on improving trade exchanges, especially by enhancing the southern corridor, which plays a vital role in facilitating the movement of goods between Mali and Ghana.
Mahama also emphasized the need for better infrastructure and simpler customs procedures to help make trade more efficient.
Additionally, the leaders agreed on the importance of reviving the joint cooperation commission between Mali and Ghana, which had not met since 2011.
Both sides committed to taking steps to restart this important partnership.
Security, particularly counterterrorism, was another significant topic discussed during the meeting.
The situation between the AES, made up of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, and ECOWAS has been tense after the three countries decided to leave ECOWAS in response to sanctions imposed on their military governments.
Despite this, ECOWAS has allowed them a grace period to reconsider their decision.