Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has commended Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire for extending what he described as “exceptional hospitality” to Ghanaians displaced by recent communal conflict.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Mr Ablakwa disclosed that he had paused official engagements in Ethiopia to hold “fruitful telephone conversations” with his Burkinabè counterpart, Hon. Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Foreign Minister, Hon. Kacou Houadja Léon Adom.
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“I am deeply grateful…for the extremely fruitful engagements,” he said, adding that he conveyed “the heartfelt appreciation of President John Mahama, the government and people of Ghana for their demonstration of true Pan-African solidarity and admirable belief in our ECOWAS free movement protocols.”
The talks, he said, produced an actionable roadmap to safeguard and support the displaced nationals. He assured that “no effort will be spared in ensuring that our Ghanaian compatriots are well looked after and assisted to return home.”
According to him, Ghana’s embassies in Ouagadougou and Abidjan will hold urgent meetings with the respective Foreign Ministries to strengthen welfare and safety measures for the affected Ghanaians.
Mr Ablakwa further revealed that both Ministers had agreed to facilitate his planned working visit to the two countries, during which he would meet displaced nationals and provide direct support. “They generously offered to accompany my delegation to visit our compatriots immediately I conclude ongoing high-level commitments in Ethiopia, which is led by our Vice President, H.E. Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang,” he noted.
Reaffirming the Mahama Administration’s commitment to inclusivity, he stressed: “We will continue to care for all Ghanaians, and will not leave anyone behind.”
Calling for sustained peace, Mr Ablakwa said: “May we work to secure lasting peace in all flashpoints of our beloved nation.” He also reiterated Ghana’s Pan-African ideals, adding: “May we in the spirit of Pan-Africanism and African integration continue to open our borders to fellow Africans as Ghana has always championed, even as we pursue the dream of a borderless Africa.”
