Mahama promotes cooperation and trade during Bamako visit

President John Dramani Mahama visited Bamako, Mali, on Saturday, where he engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, enhancing regional security, and boosting economic cooperation.

During the visit, he highlighted the deep-rooted friendship between Ghana and Mali, which dates back to their founding leaders, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and President Keita. Speaking to the press after a closed-door meeting with Mali’s Transitional President, General Assimi Goïta, he emphasized the strong historical ties between the two nations. “Everybody knows the historic relations that have existed between Ghana and Mali since the period of our ex-presidents, Keita and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah… and so I came on a friendly visit, and also to thank President Goïta for allowing Prime Minister Maïga to visit Ghana when I was being inaugurated as president,” he said.

The discussions also focused on strengthening transit trade and reviving the Technical Joint Cooperation framework, which was initiated in 2011 to address trade and diplomatic challenges. President Mahama reiterated Ghana’s commitment to fostering economic growth across the region and enhancing cooperation between the two nations.

With security concerns growing in West Africa, he engaged in talks on deepening collaboration with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to combat terrorism and insurgency. He stressed the need for stronger ties to uphold Africa’s sovereignty and find collective solutions to these threats. Addressing the recent withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), he expressed hope that their departure would not affect the longstanding friendship between the people of these nations. He called for ongoing dialogue and reconciliation between the Sahel states and ECOWAS.

Before his official engagements, President Mahama took time to greet members of the Ghanaian community in Bamako, demonstrating his commitment to their well-being. He later visited the statue of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in the heart of the Malian capital, a landmark symbolizing the shared history and Pan-African vision of Ghana and Mali. His visit to Mali is part of a broader diplomatic tour, with upcoming stops in Niger and Burkina Faso.

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