President John Mahama’s one-day visit to La Côte d’Ivoire involved discussions with President Alassane Ouattara, focusing on strengthening Ghana-ECOWAS relations, regional security, cocoa production, and environmental issues linked to illegal mining. The leaders noted their countries’ significant roles in global cocoa production and strategies for enhancing it.
President John Mahama has concluded a one-day working visit to La Côte d’Ivoire, where he engaged in bilateral discussions with President Alassane Ouattara. This visit aimed to strengthen Ghana’s ties with its ECOWAS neighbors, with key topics including regional security, the Alliance of Sahel States, cocoa production enhancement, and illegal mining issues.
During their meeting, President Ouattara praised President Mahama for fostering dialogue with Sahel states, which may promote reconciliation among three Sahelian nations and ECOWAS. The leaders acknowledged their respective countries’ significant roles in the global cocoa market, contributing nearly 80% of worldwide production, and discussed methods for improving pricing and increasing value addition in the cocoa sector.
Additionally, the two presidents highlighted the pressing environmental challenges posed by illegal mining, known as galamsey, acknowledging the detrimental impacts on their shared waterways and tributaries. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to addressing these critical regional issues effectively.
In summary, President Mahama’s visit to La Côte d’Ivoire served to bolster relations with ECOWAS countries and tackle pressing issues such as regional security and environmental concerns caused by illegal mining. The discussions on cocoa production also indicate a commitment to improving economic strategies within the industry. Overall, the engagement signifies the importance of diplomatic dialogues in addressing shared challenges in the region.
Original Source: www.myjoyonline.com
