{"id":116282,"date":"2026-02-21T06:15:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T06:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=116282"},"modified":"2026-02-21T06:15:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T06:15:34","slug":"ablakwa-outlines-key-bilateral-agreements-with-burkina-faso-to-boost-trade-security-and-border-cooperation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=116282","title":{"rendered":"Ablakwa outlines key bilateral agreements with Burkina Faso to boost trade, security and border cooperation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \t<\/i> Read Time:<\/span>3 Minute, 31 Second <\/div>\n\n <\/div>
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Minister for Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced the signing of a suite of bilateral agreements between Ghana and Burkina Faso aimed at deepening economic integration, strengthening border management, and enhancing security cooperation.<\/p>\n

This follows the deadly extremist attack that led to the killing of eight Ghanaian nationals in Titao.<\/p>\n

Speaking at a press conference in Burkina Faso on Friday, February 20, Mr Ablakwa said the new agreements fulfil directives issued by President John Dramani Mahama and Burkina Faso\u2019s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traor\u00e9, who earlier tasked their foreign ministers to reactivate bilateral cooperation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am delighted to report today that we have not only complied with the directives from our two presidents, but we have made a lot of progress,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

Joint resolve against extremism<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Ablakwa said the two governments strongly condemned the latest violent extremist assault in the northern Burkinab\u00e8 town of Titao, which killed several civilians, including Ghanaian tomato traders.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have decided to deepen our security cooperation,\u201d he stated. \u201cWe are currently negotiating a security framework which will help us to work together and collectively to neutralise these violent extremists.\u201d<\/p>\n

He stressed that Ghana and Burkina Faso are determined to prevent the sub-region from becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups<\/p>\n

Driver\u2019s licence pact to ease trade corridor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Among the headline agreements is the mutual recognition of national driver\u2019s licences, a move expected to remove longstanding bottlenecks along the Tema\u2013Ouagadougou trade corridor.<\/p>\n

Mr. Ablakwa noted that transport operators have complained for years about regulatory inconsistencies between the two countries.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur drivers have been complaining for years\u00a0about the lack of harmonisation,\u201d he said, adding that Africa still trades too little within the continent. \u201cThis agreement is going to resolve that, and it will boost intra-African trade \u201d. <\/p>\n

READ ALSO: Ghana, Burkina Faso deepen security ties after terrorists kill 8 Ghanaians in Titao<\/p>\n

Citing data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, he observed that intra-African trade remains below 20 per cent.<\/p>\n

He stressed that Ghana, which hosts the secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, is determined to lead by example in removing barriers to free movement and commerce.<\/p>\n

Transport, border and transit cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n

The two countries also signed:<\/p>\n