Ghana, Burkina Faso Begin Talks to Reaffirm, Jointly Manage Common Boundary

Ghana and Burkina Faso have commenced a series of bilateral engagements aimed at reaffirming and jointly managing their common land boundary. The week-long series of meetings began in Pô, Burkina Faso, with the Joint Land Boundary Technical Committee convening.

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The exercise went beyond technical and legal processes and reflected a shared commitment to deepen cooperation and enhance boundary management.

These engagements are part of broader efforts by the two neighboring countries to enhance peaceful coexistence, cross-border cooperation, and regional integration through effective boundary management. The activities are being held under three Framework Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding signed by the Foreign Ministers of both nations in February.

Scheduled activities include reviewing the modalities and roadmap for reaffirming the boundary, alongside consultations involving border regions from June 15 to 21. The Joint Ghana-Burkina Faso Land Boundary Technical Committee is also set to be inaugurated on June 21. The culmination of these efforts is expected on June 22 with the signing of official documents and the relaunch of the Joint Ghana-Burkina Faso Land Boundary Reaffirmation Exercise at Dakola.

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The initiative demonstrated the determination of both countries to transform their boundary into a bridge for cooperation and development.

Major General Anthony Ntem, Commissioner-General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, described the engagements as a significant milestone, emphasizing that the exercise transcends technical and legal processes. He highlighted a shared commitment to deepen cooperation and transform the boundary into a "bridge for cooperation and development." A key outcome anticipated is a practical and responsive roadmap for the reaffirmation process, detailing scope, timelines, resources, and monitoring mechanisms. Mr. Fidele Gouem, Permanent Secretary of Burkina Faso’s National Boundary Secretariat, underscored the historical and cultural ties between the nations, stressing the need to preserve them through mutual understanding and cooperation.

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The strong historical and cultural ties between the two countries and stressed the need to preserve them through mutual understanding and cooperation.