Ghana and Burkina Faso have begun a week-long series of meetings focused on their shared land boundary. These engagements started in Pô, Burkina Faso, with the Joint Land Boundary Technical Committee.
These discussions aim to reaffirm the boundary and manage it jointly. The meetings will end with official document signings and a relaunch of the Joint Ghana-Burkina Faso Land Boundary Reaffirmation Exercise. This relaunch is set for June 22 in Dakola.
The current activities are part of a larger plan by both countries to improve peaceful living conditions and cooperation across their borders. This effort also seeks to strengthen regional integration. Three Framework Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed in February 2024 by the Foreign Ministers guide these engagements. These agreements lay the groundwork for better boundary management.
Major General Anthony Ntem, Commissioner-General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, called the talks a significant step. He spoke at the opening session, highlighting the long-standing cooperation between the two nations. He stated that this exercise goes beyond just technical and legal matters. It shows a shared commitment to deepen working together and improve border management.
Scheduled activities include reviewing methods and a roadmap for confirming the common boundary. Consultations will also involve border regions in both countries from June 15 to 21. The Joint Ghana-Burkina Faso Land Boundary Technical Committee will be officially launched on June 21.
Major General Ntem noted the initiative demonstrates both countries' resolve to turn their border into a bridge for cooperation and development. A main outcome will be a detailed roadmap to guide the reaffirmation process. This roadmap will include the scope, timelines, resources needed, and ways to track progress. He urged participants to use their knowledge to make this roadmap practical and suitable for local conditions.
Mr. Fidele Gouem, Permanent Secretary of Burkina Faso’s National Boundary Secretariat, also emphasized the deep historical and cultural ties. He stressed the importance of preserving these connections through mutual work. The relaunch event on June 22 will gather ministers, ambassadors, regional officials, and traditional leaders. This gathering aims to confirm the political will of both nations for peaceful boundary management. These proactive measures are crucial for regional stability and economic collaboration.