By Celestine Avi
Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, has underscored the need to rebuild trust among West African leaders to strengthen regional cooperation and stability. During a high-level meeting with Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou, Mahama acknowledged growing concerns about relations with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the broader geopolitical shifts affecting Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
President Mahama stated that his discussions in Ouagadougou had provided him with fresh insights into the challenges facing the region, particularly in light of the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. He noted that strained relations with ECOWAS have created uncertainties but stressed the importance of fostering dialogue to restore cooperation among West African nations, even if they are not all part of the same regional bloc.
Mahama assured Captain Traoré that he would relay Burkina Faso’s concerns at the upcoming ECOWAS meeting, advocating for renewed engagement between member states to address common challenges, including security, trade, and economic development. He emphasized that mutual trust and collaboration are essential for achieving regional stability, particularly at a time when terrorism, economic hardship, and governance issues are reshaping West Africa’s political landscape.
The meeting between Mahama and Traoré comes at a crucial moment when Burkina Faso and its Sahelian allies have distanced themselves from ECOWAS, citing dissatisfaction with the bloc’s approach to governance and security matters. Despite these differences, Mahama reiterated Ghana’s commitment to dialogue and diplomacy in fostering cooperation for the collective good of the region.
