Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa was received in Rabat by his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. On Thursday, the two ministers signed a memorandum of understanding on political consultations and a joint communiqué in which Ghana voiced support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara, calling it the «only realistic and sustainable basis» for a mutually acceptable solution. In a joint statement signed this Thursday in Rabat, Ghana expressed its support for the Sahara autonomy plan proposed by Morocco, describing it as the «only realistic and sustainable basis for a mutually acceptable solution to the Sahara issue». The statement also praised the efforts of the United Nations as «the exclusive framework for achieving a realistic, practical, and lasting solution to this regional dispute». «In mediating this conflict, which has lasted for more than five decades, we welcome the plan presented by Morocco and are convinced that a mutual agreement between all parties involved is necessary to achieve lasting regional peace», declared Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who was received by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita. During a press briefing following the signing of the joint statement and a memorandum of understanding on political consultations, Ablakwa affirmed that Ghana's stance aligns with its traditional vision, which «has always advocated for peace». According to him, the plan proposed by Morocco to resolve the regional dispute «is consistent» with Accra's «peaceful foreign policy». «We cannot continue to oppose each other and engage in a deadlock that does not contribute to peace, stability, and cohesion», emphasized the minister, standing alongside Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita. «We have always been in favor of peace and dialogue. We believe that all parties should come to the negotiation table and engage in dialogue within the framework of the United Nations. There should be a commitment that the UN decision will be definitive on this issue», Ablakwa stressed. This statement marks a notable shift in Ghana's position. It follows recent decisions by Accra, including the January 7th announcement of its suspension of diplomatic relations with the «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)». With this move, 46 countries, including 13 in Africa, have now broken off or suspended such ties since 2000. On the Sahara and the Sahel, Ghana distances itself from Algeria Less than a month ago, a Ghanaian parliamentary delegation visited the Kingdom. Led by the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Alfred Okoe, the delegation was received in May by Nasser Bourita and the President of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami. The parliamentarians also traveled to Laayoune during their visit, which took place just weeks after Foreign Minister Ablakwa's own trip to Algiers. Now back in Morocco, Ablakwa aligned his position on the Sahara with a logic of regional peace, also addressing its broader implications for the Sahel. «We have also considered strengthening regional security [with Rabat, editor's note]. We are concerned about the growing threat of terrorism and violent extremism, particularly in the Maghreb and the Sahel, which poses a threat to us all. Everyone knows that Morocco has an excellent intelligence and security system. We will therefore cooperate», he stated. The minister also praised the quality of bilateral ties between Accra and Rabat, not only in regional security, but also in economic and academic cooperation, and in easing mobility between the two countries. «Our relations are at their highest level, and we will continue to work together for peace, stability, and progress, as well as for the transformation of our region. Our diplomacy must be a bearer of peace (...) It must offer opportunities to our populations, and that is our priority», he emphasized. «I am pleased that King Mohammed VI is a visionary leader who also believes in these principles. I will continue to work with Morocco in this direction», he added. In this context, Ablakwa announced an upcoming state visit by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, with the date still to be determined. «I convey to you the warm greetings of the President of the Republic of Ghana. He sends his most sincere greetings to his brother, King Mohammed VI, and looks forward to making a state visit soon to engage in discussions with him. Ghana knows that the last high-level visit was made by the Sovereign [in 2017, editor's note]; it is now Ghana's turn to return the visit», said Ablakwa.
