Ghana has become the latest state to back the Moroccan autonomy plan as the sole solution to the Sahara issue,in a move that will reverberate across Africa.
The position was expressed in a joint statement following talks in Rabat Thursday between Ghana’s foreign minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.
Ghana “considers the autonomy plan presented by the Kingdom of Morocco as the only realistic and sustainable basis to a mutually agreed solution to the issue,” it said in the joint statement.
Ghana underscored that the UN should remain the only framework to reach a realistic,practical,and lasting solution to the issue.
Ghana 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 Ghanan foreign minister expressed his country’s commitment to further enshrine cooperation with the Kingdom of Morocco in various areas of cooperation.
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 cooperation level,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.
The two countries will 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.
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