By Iddi Yire
Accra, Jan 31, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama Friday discussed with his Comoros counterpart, President Azali Assoumani, the need for the establishment of a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation between Ghana and the Comoros.
That, President Mahama said, would enable the two nations to explore the sectors in which the two countries could share their experiences.
President Assoumani, with his wife, Ambari Daroueche, are in Accra to participate in the Africa Prosperity Dialogue 2025.
The Dialogues had become an annual Forum that allows important discussions on how to improve cooperation among nations on the African Continent.
During their discussion at the Jubilee House in Accra on Friday, President Mahama said: “Africa is a growing continent with a lot of potential. One of the drawbacks we have is the low level of trade and cooperation between our countries.”
“So, we believe that dialogues and fora like the African Prosperity Dialogue allow us to exchange views about how to make our continent better.”
He said many countries were adopting visa free arrangements to allow free movement of people, goods and services between countries and that Ghana believed that African people should be able to move freely across the continent.
“That’s why we have introduced visa free arrangements for many holders of African passports.”
He called for the promotion of intra African trade, citing Ghana’s hosting of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as an honour.
“That’s why Ghana is doing everything to support the Secretariat,” he said.
President Mahama observed that most of the infrastructure did not facilitate the exchange between African countries and cited that if something was being sent from Ghana to the Comoros it had to first go to Europe before it lands in the Comoros.
He said even though countries had signed the Protocol on African Continental Free Trade, they also must look at developing the infrastructure to facilitate trade, and commended President Assoumani for his presence at the important Forum.
President Assoumani, on his part, expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the high protocol and warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
He congratulated him (President Mahama) on his re-election in the December 7 general election and lauded Ghanaians for a smooth presidential transition.
He lauded Ghana for implementing the visa free regime for holders of African passport; saying “I think it’s a good step that Ghana has taken”.
Concerning diplomatic relationship between the two countries, President Assoumani said the Comoros Ambassador to Ethiopia would be given a concurrent accreditation to Ghana.
GNA