Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in cocoa production, mining, energy, and regional development projects.
The discussions was led by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara during Ghanaian President John Mahama’s first visit to Abidjan.
Both leaders addressed pressing issues such as terrorism, illegal gold mining, climate change, and maritime piracy in West Africa.
The two nations, which account for over 60% of global cocoa production, emphasized their dedication to strengthening the Côte d’Ivoire-Ghana Cocoa Initiative to ensure fair pricing and sustainable cocoa farming.
They also discussed major ECOWAS infrastructure projects, such as the Abidjan-Lagos corridor and the long-awaited common currency, the Eco.
On the issue of U.S. aid suspension, President Ouattara acknowledged the significant role of American funding, which previously accounted for 64% of international support to Côte d’Ivoire. He assured that measures have been put in place to sustain key projects while awaiting the outcome of an ongoing audit by the U.S. government.
Meanwhile, President Mahama viewed the funding reduction as an opportunity for West African nations to strengthen economic self-reliance and explore alternative partnerships.
Source: WAVN