President John Mahama’s recent visit to La Côte d’Ivoire aimed to strengthen Ghana’s ties with ECOWAS. He and President Ouattara discussed regional security, cocoa production, and shared environmental challenges. The meeting underscored the importance of cooperation on these critical matters.
President John Mahama has returned from a one-day working visit to La Côte d’Ivoire, where he met with President Alassane Ouattara. This visit aimed to strengthen Ghana’s relations with its ECOWAS neighbors. Key topics discussed included regional security, specifically the Alliance of Sahel States, enhancing cocoa production, and addressing illegal mining activities.
During the meeting, President Ouattara praised Mahama for fostering dialogue with Sahel states, emphasizing that this approach would aid reconciliation efforts among the Sahelian countries and ECOWAS. Both leaders acknowledged their countries’ major roles in the global cocoa market, which represents about 80% of total production, and deliberated on improving pricing and added value in the cocoa industry.
Additionally, they acknowledged the detrimental effects of illegal mining activities, known locally as galamsey, on shared waterways and the environment, stressing the urgent need for cooperative environmental strategies to mitigate these consequences.
This diplomatic engagement underscores the commitment of both nations to collaborate on security and economic issues, fostering stronger ties within the West African region.
President Mahama’s visit to La Côte d’Ivoire highlighted the importance of bilateral relations between Ghana and its ECOWAS partners. By addressing critical issues such as regional security, cocoa production, and environmental concerns due to illegal mining, both leaders reiterated their commitment to collaborative efforts for mutual benefits.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
