The 2024 presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has vowed that a prospective NDC administration will strive to mend the strained diplomatic ties between Ghana and Burkina Faso. Mahama criticized President Akufo-Addo for purportedly undermining the relationship, resulting in what he characterizes as “diplomatic tension” despite the President’s attempts to address the issue.
Speaking to the media in the Upper East Region, Mahama underscored the significance of nurturing amicable relations with neighboring nations, particularly in the context of combating security threats emanating from the Sahel region.
He used a local proverb to illustrate the need for vigilance and cooperation: “When your neighbour’s beard is on fire, you fetch water and put it by your beard because it can spread to your own.”
“We know what is happening in Burkina Faso, and we should be working closer with our comrades in Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, this government has created tension between us and Burkina Faso because our President went to open his mouth too widely, gossiping about your neighbour, so it has created some diplomatic tension.
“When government changes, we have to go and talk to our neighbours because we must work together. I think that we must improve our relationship,” he said.
He emphasized the imperative of collaborating closely with Burkina Faso to enhance relations and address shared security concerns. Moreover, Mahama advocated for fortified borders, heightened surveillance, and bolstered security measures to mitigate potential spillovers from regional conflicts. He urged the authorities to promptly resolve the Bawku crisis as part of these endeavors.
President Akufo-Addo, in a discussion with journalists alongside U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday, December 14, alleged that Burkina Faso had engaged Russian mercenaries and had proposed offering Wagner a mine as compensation.
“Today, Russian mercenaries are on our northern border. Burkina Faso has now entered into an arrangement to go along with Mali in employing the Wagner forces there,” Akufo-Addo had said, adding that it was a distressing development for Ghana.
After the comments, Burkina Faso summoned Ghana’s Ambassador on Friday, December 16, for “explanations.”
In a statement issued after the meeting with the Ambassador, Burkina Faso’s Foreign Ministry said it had “expressed disapproval” about the statements made by the Ghanaian president.
“Ghana could have undertaken exchanges with the Burkinabe authorities on the security issue in order to have the right information,” it said.
To address the issue at hand, the National Security Minister, Mr. Kan-Dapaah, spearheaded a high-level delegation from Ghana. This delegation comprised security chiefs and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and they journeyed to Burkina Faso with the aim of resolving the matter. Following this diplomatic mission, both nations have reconfirmed their dedication to combating terrorism within the West Africa Region.
