President of the Republic of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has called for stronger defense and economic cooperation between Ghana and Mali, citing shared trade interests, security concerns, and long-standing historical ties.
The president made this declaration during a press briefing after a meeting with Mali’s Transitional President, General Assimi Goïta, in Bamako on Saturday, 8 March 2025.
The discussions focused on streamlining trade procedures, eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, and enhancing cooperation between the two countries’ transport and customs agencies.
Speaking on the importance of strengthening bilateral relations, President Mahama highlighted the deep-rooted connections between the two countries, including trade and the free movement of people.
“Our countries trade with each other. Our people travel freely between our nations, and there is a significant Malian population living in Ghana. They are involved in business, settled peacefully, and are essentially citizens of both Ghana and Mali. We had the opportunity to discuss how we can further strengthen our economic ties.” he stated.
As part of the discussions, President Mahama also addressed the crucial role of the Ghana-Mali transit corridor, which facilitates the movement of goods between the two nations. He acknowledged the existing challenges faced by these transporters, including cumbersome customs procedures, roadblocks, delays at border crossings, and unofficial fees imposed along the route
President John Dramani Mahama expressed his administration’s unwavering commitment to strengthening regional trade by ensuring that all barriers hindering the smooth transportation of goods between Ghana and Mali are removed.
“Many long-distance drivers, both Malian and Ghanaian, transport goods from our ports to Mali and vice versa for export. We discussed how to eliminate the challenges they face, making it easier for these drivers to conduct their work without unnecessary difficulties.” he explained.
“Addressing the issue of defense cooperation, particularly in the fight against terrorism in the West African sub-region, President Mahama emphasized that terrorism in any part of the region poses a shared threat to all neighboring countries, making security collaboration essential.
“Most importantly, we discussed ways to strengthen our defense cooperation, especially in the fight against terrorism. Ghana is willing to collaborate with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in tackling this growing threat.
“We all share the same sub-region, and terrorism in one country is a danger to all of us. We had in-depth discussions on enhancing our bilateral cooperation in this critical area,” he added.
President Mahama’s visit to Mali was part of his broader ‘Good Neighbourliness’ tour, aimed at reinforcing diplomatic and economic relations with Ghana’s neighboring countries.
(Elvisanokyenews(
