Ghana, Sierra Leone deepen ties with seven agreements at inaugural PJCC

Ghana and Sierra Leone have taken a major step to strengthen bilateral relations, signing seven agreements at the inaugural Ministerial Session of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) held in Accra.

The session, which took place on Thursday, April 23, 2026, was co-chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Sierra Leone's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Francess Piagie Alghali.

It followed a two-day technical meeting held from April 21 to 22.

Addressing the session, Mr. Ablakwa described the PJCC as a strategic platform to convert the longstanding ties between the two countries into concrete partnerships that deliver economic growth and improved livelihoods.

He stressed the need for effective implementation of agreements and sustained follow-up to ensure that decisions taken translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

The Foreign Affairs Minister identified priority areas of cooperation, including trade and investment, agriculture, energy, health, defence and security, as well as tourism and cultural exchanges.

According to him, these sectors offer significant opportunities for job creation, economic transformation, and shared prosperity.

He also recalled the history of collaboration between the two countries, particularly during health emergencies and natural disasters.

On her part, Mrs. Alghali expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended to the Sierra Leonean delegation and reaffirmed her country's commitment to deepening cooperation with Ghana.

She said the PJCC reflects a shared vision by both countries' leadership to transform historic relations into a dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership anchored on solidarity and development.

The session concluded with the signing of one agreement and six memoranda of understanding covering defence and military cooperation, electric power development and management, intelligence and security collaboration, cocoa sector development, political consultations, tourism, culture and creative arts, as well as health.

The meeting brought together senior government officials and technical experts from both countries to deliberate on strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Both sides pledged to sustain engagement and ensure effective implementation and monitoring of agreed initiatives, with officials describing the inaugural session as a defining moment in Ghana–Sierra Leone relations.

---CitiNewsRoom