Burkina Faso and Ghana have finalised a joint action plan under their cross-border consultation framework to strengthen cooperation, improve security and promote socio-economic development in communities along their shared border.
The action plan was adopted at a two-day meeting held on July 6 and 7 in Gaoua, the capital of Burkina Faso’s Djôrô Region, bringing together governors from Burkina Faso’s border regions, Ghanaian regional ministers and traditional leaders.
The roadmap seeks to transform the shared border from a line of separation into a platform for integration by enhancing collaboration in security, governance, trade and community development.
Participants included the governors of the Djôrô, Nando and Nakambé regions of Burkina Faso, as well as Ghana’s Regional Ministers for the Upper East, Upper West and Savannah Regions.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Siaka Barro, Governor of the Djôrô Region, said the discussions built on an agreement reached earlier in Pô, where both countries established a permanent framework for cross-border consultation.
He explained that while the Pô meeting created the institutional framework for cooperation, the Gaoua meeting focused on reviewing and adopting the operational action plan prepared by technical experts.
Mr Barro said the objective was to develop a practical and consensus-based roadmap that reflected the realities of border communities and could be effectively implemented.
He stressed the importance of involving all stakeholders in the process to ensure that the action plan addressed local needs while promoting peace, security, social cohesion and improved living standards.
The Governor noted that the leadership of both Burkina Faso and Ghana had prioritised cross-border cooperation, leading to the institutionalisation of annual meetings between governors and regional ministers.
Speaking on behalf of the Ghanaian delegation, Mr Donatus Akamugri Atanga, Upper East Regional Minister, said the meeting completed work initiated during the earlier consultations in Pô.
He explained that Ghana requested additional time after the Pô meeting to engage security agencies, government institutions and local communities to ensure broad consensus on the implementation strategy.
Mr Atanga said the action plan would strengthen bilateral relations, improve coordination among security agencies, enhance collaboration between administrative and traditional authorities, and improve the livelihoods of people living along the common border.
He highlighted the long-standing historical and cultural ties between the peoples of the two countries, noting that ethnic groups including the Dagara, Frafra, Bissa, Kassena and Birifor have lived across both sides of the border for generations, sharing common languages, traditions and family relationships.
“The border should serve as a bridge for cooperation rather than a barrier dividing our people,” he said.
Mr Atanga also commended the commitment of President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso and President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana to strengthening bilateral relations.
He expressed confidence that the implementation of the action plan would enhance peace and security, facilitate economic and cultural exchanges, and accelerate socio-economic development in the border areas.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
