12 Mar 2015

Ghana president, Dr John Dramani Mahama left for his country on Wednesday (March 11) at the end of a three-day state visit. 

A joint communiqué from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Affairs, stated that President Mahama’s visit was reciprocal, following the state visit to Ghana by President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama in 2011. 

The visit afforded the two presidents a valuable opportunity to revitalise and strengthen the warm and fraternal relations that existed between the governments and the people of Botswana and Ghana for mutual benefit. 

The statement said, in this regard, the two Presidents took stock of the progress of the existing bilateral cooperation and discussed a wide range of regional and international issues of mutual interest. 

The presidents underscored the excellent relations that subsisted between Botswana and Ghana, founded on shared values of mutual respect, commitment to democracy, good governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights. 

They further underlined the need to expand the existing cooperation with concrete, sustainable and mutually rewarding frameworks that would enhance cooperation in the fields of beef cattle production, trade, tourism, education, youth empowerment and development, sport, mining, energy, transport as well as legal matters pertaining to extradition and mutual legal assistance, among others. 

Furthermore, the two Heads of State reaffirmed the need to operationalise the General Cooperation Agreement that established the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC) signed in 2007. 

It was thus resolved that a meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation be convened during the last quarter of 2015, in Accra, Ghana. 

It further says one of the outcomes of the State visit by President Mahama was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations, whose main objective is to foster political dialogue between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs. 

On regional issues, the statement says, the two leaders exchanged views on the prevailing political and security situation in Africa. They also commended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union for their efforts in addressing the peace and security challenges of the Continent. 

In this regard, President Khama commended President Mahama for his leadership role as the Chair of ECOWAS towards the resolution of the political challenges facing that region. 

The two Heads of State also discussed the serious threat posed by terrorism and violent extremism in Africa and underlined their commitment to continue to support regional and multilateral efforts against the scourge. 

On regional integration, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the continental development aspirations, particularly Africa’s Vision 2063.  In this regard, they underlined the importance of deepening integration and accelerating economic cooperation towards a peaceful, integrated and prosperous Africa. 

President Khama took the opportunity to congratulate President Mahama on his appointment as Chair of the African Union High-Level Trade Committee and wished him well in promoting intra-Africa trade. 

On the global front, the two Presidents exchanged views on among others, international trade, climate change, sustainable development and the Post 2015 Development Agenda. 

They reiterated the need for Africa to continue to advance its common position on these matters and also noted that Botswana and Ghana share similar views on many issues and agreed to continue to cooperate at the international level on matters of mutual interest. 

As a testimony to the cordial relations between the two countries, President Mahama officially opened the Dikgatlhong Dam and toured the Botswana Meat Commission Abattoir in Francistown. 

The President also visited the Diamond Trading Company, Eurostar Diamond Polishing Company, Youth video production company, Dee Zone at Khale Mews in Gaborone, as well as engagement with the Ghanaian Community residing in Botswana. 

President John Dramani Mahama expressed gratitude to President Khama, the government and people of Botswana for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. 

He was accompanied by the First Lady, Mrs Lordina Mahama, three Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Lands and Natural Resources and Education, as well as senior government officials. ENDS