Ghana Works to Heal ECOWAS Split, Minister Says.
Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says President John Dramani Mahama has started efforts to bring back three nations that left the Economic Community of West African States.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger broke from ECOWAS this January. These countries, each under military rule, refused the group's call to bring back elected leaders. They then made their group, the Alliance of Sahel States.
"President Mahama has taken steps to help Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso return to ECOWAS," Ablakwa told reporters on Saturday. "He picked a special helper, and talks are going on. He plans to visit these places soon."
The minister seemed sure about success. "The President wants to bring back those who left. From what he has done before, I believe he will make this happen."
Ablakwa noted this was not the first split in Africa's past. He pointed to earlier groups like the Ghana-Mali-Guinea Union, which came before the Organisation of African Unity. "Leaders know we must join hands, as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah said. We need one market, one bank, and one defense force."
Looking ahead, Ghana plans to stay friends with all nations and keep clear of other countries' fights. "We make choices that help our people. We stay away from power battles between other nations," the minister explained.
Ablakwa added that Ghana might join more world groups like BRICS if it helps trade. BRICS include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. These nations make up over 42% of the world's people, 30% of the land, 23% of the money made, and 18% of world trade. Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joined BRICS at the start of 2024.
"BRICS matters much these days," said Ablakwa. "They have more than 40% of the world's people and make 27 trillion in wealth. Their plans look good. We should make more friends and build more links. This gives us more paths forward."
The minister said Ghana would also focus on keeping its people safe from threats, such as terror acts, that originate outside the country.
Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says President John Dramani Mahama has started efforts to bring back three nations that left the Economic Community of West African States.
Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger broke from ECOWAS this January. These countries, each under military rule, refused the group's call to bring back elected leaders. They then made their group, the Alliance of Sahel States.
"President Mahama has taken steps to help Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso return to ECOWAS," Ablakwa told reporters on Saturday. "He picked a special helper, and talks are going on. He plans to visit these places soon."
The minister seemed sure about success. "The President wants to bring back those who left. From what he has done before, I believe he will make this happen."
Ablakwa noted this was not the first split in Africa's past. He pointed to earlier groups like the Ghana-Mali-Guinea Union, which came before the Organisation of African Unity. "Leaders know we must join hands, as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah said. We need one market, one bank, and one defense force."
Looking ahead, Ghana plans to stay friends with all nations and keep clear of other countries' fights. "We make choices that help our people. We stay away from power battles between other nations," the minister explained.
Ablakwa added that Ghana might join more world groups like BRICS if it helps trade. BRICS include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. These nations make up over 42% of the world's people, 30% of the land, 23% of the money made, and 18% of world trade. Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joined BRICS at the start of 2024.
"BRICS matters much these days," said Ablakwa. "They have more than 40% of the world's people and make 27 trillion in wealth. Their plans look good. We should make more friends and build more links. This gives us more paths forward."
The minister said Ghana would also focus on keeping its people safe from threats, such as terror acts, that originate outside the country.
