Ghana and Burkina Faso have agreed on seven new deals aimed at protecting one of West Africa’s most important trade roads and improving safety along their common border.
The agreements were signed during a renewed meeting of their Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation, which had not met for six years. Officials from both countries said the long break had slowed joint work, especially at a time when security threats in the Sahel are growing.
The focus was to protect lives, protect trade, and improve how both countries manage their shared border.
Attacks in parts of the Sahel have affected traders and families on both sides. Before the talks, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, visited victims of the February 14 terrorist attack in Titao who are receiving care at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. Some of those killed were Ghanaian traders.
During the meeting, both countries “jointly condemned recent terrorist attacks in the sub-region and expressed sympathy to the affected families.”
They agreed to design a new joint plan to fight terrorism and violent groups operating near their border. The goal is to share information better and respond faster to threats.
A key part of the new deals focuses on trade. The road from Tema to Ouagadougou is very important for Burkina Faso, which does not have a seaport. Delays and different rules have often slowed trucks moving goods between the two countries.
Under the new agreements, both sides will accept each other’s driver’s licences. This is expected to reduce long checks and paperwork at the border.
They also signed a transport and road transit deal to make rules more similar. Officials believe this will make it easier for goods to move and lower costs for businesses.
Local border officials will now meet regularly to solve problems quickly. A new system for cross-border cooperation is also expected to improve order and safety in border towns.
Another serious issue discussed was flooding caused by the Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso. When water is released, communities in northern Ghana are sometimes affected.
The two countries agreed to improve early warning systems and work more closely during emergencies. A new framework on disaster prevention and crisis response was signed to protect lives and property.
The governments also signed an agreement to fight the illegal growing, making, and movement of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Officials say this step is meant to protect young people and stop criminal networks from using the border area.
To settle any concerns about land boundaries, both sides agreed to form a joint team to confirm and reaffirm their shared border.
Although the agreements are many, Ghana’s foreign minister made it clear that results matter more than signatures. Ablakwa said the accords “are not going to be decorative pieces.”
Officials from both sides described the meeting as productive and forward-looking. They said the renewed partnership reflects the long relationship between the two neighbors.