By Alex Ababio
Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has praised the governments of Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire for their “exceptional hospitality” towards Ghanaian citizens who fled recent communal clashes.
In a social media update on Wednesday, Mr. Ablakwa revealed that, while on official duty in Ethiopia, he held “fruitful telephone conversations” with Burkina Faso’s Foreign Minister, Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Foreign Minister, Kacou Houadja Léon Adom, to discuss urgent measures for the safety and welfare of affected Ghanaians.
“I am deeply grateful…for the extremely fruitful engagements,” Mr. Ablakwa stated, noting 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.”
According to the Ghanaian Foreign Minister, the discussions produced a clear roadmap to protect displaced Ghanaians and ensure they receive immediate support. He stressed that “no effort will be spared in ensuring that our Ghanaian compatriots are well looked after and assisted to return home.”
Mr. Ablakwa further disclosed that the Foreign Ministries of Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire will hold urgent meetings with Ghana’s embassies in both countries to design stronger welfare and safety interventions for Ghanaian nationals.
He also announced that the two Ministers have agreed to support his upcoming working visit to both countries, where he will personally meet displaced citizens. “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 said.
Reaffirming government’s stance, Mr. Ablakwa declared: “The Mahama Administration will continue to care for all Ghanaians, and will not leave anyone behind.” He also called for lasting peace across Ghana’s conflict-prone areas: “May we work to secure lasting peace in all flashpoints of our beloved nation.”
Highlighting Ghana’s long-standing Pan-African ideals, he added: “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.”