Ghana has joined the increasing number of countries that have clearly expressed backing to the Morocco-proposed autonomy plan as the only realistic and sustainable basis for a mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue.
This position was expressed in a joint Communiqué released following a meeting held in Rabat Thursday between Ghana’s Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita..
Ghana underscored that the UN should remain the only framework to reach a realistic, practical, and lasting solution to the issue.
Ghana’s position, as reiterated by Okudzeto Ablakwa, falls in line with the international momentum driven by King Mohammed VI in favor of the autonomy plan for the Sahara under the Kingdom’s sovereignty.
Ghana also commended the leadership and laudable contribution of King Mohammed VI to the international Community’s efforts to promote peace, stability, and development in Africa.
The two ministers further welcomed the momentum generated within the framework of the Atlantic African States Process to turn the Atlantic African space into a geostrategic framework offering major opportunities for synergy and cooperation among its countries. These opportunities include strategic areas such as the environment, food security, health, energy, logistical interconnection, pooling resources, and exchange of experience, therefore forming an area of co-emergence and stability.
Okudzeto Ablakwa also lauded the King’s initiative to promote Sahel countries’ access to the Atlantic Ocean, underlining the strategic importance of this Initiative, which forms part of Morocco’s active solidarity with sister African countries.
At the bilateral level, the Ghanaian foreign minister expressed his country’s commitment to further enshrine cooperation with Morocco in various areas of cooperation, and both countries welcomed the increasing presence of Moroccan companies in Ghana.
They agreed to explore further cooperation in agriculture, green energy, fisheries, higher education, vocational training, mining, and urban development.
The two countries also plan to sign a memorandum of understanding in military cooperation, and vowed to develop cooperation on food security and fertilizers, the document said, adding that a Moroccan delegation will pay a visit to Ghana soon to examine feasibility.
Ghana and Morocco are also examining visa waivers for ordinary passports, as Morocco will immediately enable Ghanan nationals to apply for e- visas.