Ghana, Burkina Faso deepen commitment to cross-border security and cooperation

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that Ghana and Burkina Faso have renewed their commitment to deepen security, humanitarian and cross-border cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

He said this in Ouagadougou, during a high-level bilateral discussion with Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabè Abroad, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, on Saturday.

He said Ghana and Burkina Faso could not afford to confront insecurity in isolation.

“Our two countries share a border and a common destiny. We must coordinate intelligence, strengthen joint patrols and work closely to protect our people,” he stated.

Both sides strongly condemned recent terrorist attacks across the sub-region and expressed condolences to the affected families. They agreed to design and implement a strengthened bilateral security framework to confront terrorism and violent extremism.

On his part, Mr Traoré said Burkina Faso values its longstanding ties with Ghana and is committed to closer collaboration.

“Terrorism threatens our development and stability. Working together is not optional. It is necessary for the safety of our citizens,” he said.

The two countries bemoaned the recent terrorist attacks in the sub-region and extended condolences to the bereaved families. They agreed to develop and implement a reinforced bilateral security framework to tackle terrorism and violent extremism.

The visit also featured the signing of several bilateral agreements. These include agreements on mutual recognition of national driver’s licenses, transport and road transit, and cross-border cooperation.

The two sides further signed memoranda of understanding to establish periodic consultation frameworks between border administrative authorities and to create a joint commission to reaffirm the boundary between the two countries.

Additional agreements covered cooperation on the prevention and management of disasters and humanitarian crises, as well as collaboration in combating the illegal cultivation, production and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.