Ghana, Sierra Leone hold bilateral engagement to deepen cooperation.
A Technical and Ministerial Meeting of the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation to deepen bilateral relations between Ghana and Sierra Leone has commenced in Accra.
The three-day meeting between officials of the two countries commenced yesterday and would see the two countries sign several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors, including agriculture.
The meeting followed an earlier commitment by President John Dramani Mahama and Sierra Leonean President Dr Julius Maada Wonie Bio to reactivate a framework that had remained dormant since its establishment in 2013, during the former’s visit to Sierra Leone in March last year.
Opportunity
Speaking at the opening session of the meeting, the Chief Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Kadidja Iddrisu, who would co-chair the Senior Officials Meeting, said that in accordance with the instructions of the two Presidents and foreign ministries, substantial preparatory works had been done over the period to finalise the MoU, which would transform the two economies.
“The draft MoU and position papers have been exchanged to ensure that this technical session produces tangible and actionable outcomes for consideration at the ministerial session.
“It provides us with an opportunity for transforming our economies and the fortunes of our people as we seize fully the immense economic and trade prospects,” she said.
The chief director underscored the evolution of the relationship between the two states from the pre-independence period, indicating that the technical opportunity would offer more opportunities for further cooperation in other areas.
Focus
For his part, Sierra Leone’s Director General of the MFA and International Cooperation, Alan C.E. Logan, a co-chair of the meeting, said the technical teams would focus on critical sectors that formed the backbone of development for both countries over the next few days.
He explained that the teams would review proposals submitted by both sides, together with technical inputs and recommendations already provided.
In the energy sector, he said the discussions would centre on ways to secure sustainable power solutions for the growing economies of the two nations.
On trade and agriculture, he stated that the meeting would explore ways to enhance the cocoa sector in Sierra Leone through the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board and develop broader agricultural value chains.
“We recognise that our quest to transform our cocoa sector aligns strongly with Ghana’s comparative advantage and leadership in sustainable cocoa production, which we seek to leverage,” Mr Logan stated.
Regarding defence and security, Mr Logan said both countries would seek to deepen collaboration to address Africa’s evolving security landscape.
