Ablakwa: Mahama is working to bring Niger, Mali, and others back into ECOWAS

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, has revealed that former President John Dramani Mahama is at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to bring Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso back into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

These three Sahelian countries made the decision to exit ECOWAS in January 2024, citing dissatisfaction with the bloc’s handling of governance and security issues. Their departure raised significant concerns regarding regional stability, economic collaboration, and the ongoing fight against terrorism in West Africa.

Ablakwa disclosed that President Mahama has already appointed a special envoy to engage with the leadership of the three countries that have withdrawn from ECOWAS. In addition to the envoy’s appointment, Mahama is also planning diplomatic visits to these countries in the coming weeks.

“President Mahama is actively leading efforts to ensure that Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso are reintegrated into ECOWAS. He is holding high-level discussions with the leaders of these nations and has appointed a special envoy to facilitate the process. Given his extensive diplomatic experience, I have no doubt that he will succeed in his mission,” Ablakwa explained during an interview with TV3.

The Foreign Minister, who was recently sworn in, also emphasized that Ghana’s foreign policy under a Mahama-led government will prioritize economic diplomacy and the development of strategic partnerships. Ablakwa asserted that Ghana’s foreign policy should not be an abstract concept but should yield real, tangible benefits for the country’s citizens.

“We aim to demystify foreign affairs and ensure that diplomacy translates into positive outcomes for ordinary Ghanaians. We will prioritize economic diplomacy, focusing on how our international relations can improve the livelihoods of our people,” Ablakwa stated. He added that Ghana’s diplomatic engagements would center around economic growth and securing beneficial partnerships that would support the nation’s development goals.

In addition to efforts to reintegrate Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso into ECOWAS, Ablakwa also discussed Ghana’s potential engagement with BRICS, the economic bloc consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. He noted that a Mahama-led government would carefully examine the potential benefits of joining BRICS, while still maintaining strong relationships with Ghana’s traditional international partners, such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

Ablakwa acknowledged that the global landscape is shifting towards multipolar alliances, and he emphasized that Ghana cannot afford to be left behind. He stressed the importance of exploring all options to ensure the country’s economic interests are well-positioned on the global stage.

“The world is increasingly gravitating toward multipolar alliances, and Ghana must keep pace with these changes. We need to explore new avenues, such as strengthening our ties with BRICS, to ensure that our country’s economic priorities are advanced. At the same time, we will continue to maintain strong relationships with our traditional partners like the IMF and the World Bank, as they remain critical to our development,” he explained.

Ablakwa’s comments come at a time when Ghana is navigating a complex and rapidly evolving global environment. The country’s foreign policy is under increasing scrutiny as it seeks to position itself strategically in the face of shifting global dynamics. By emphasizing economic diplomacy and exploring new alliances such as BRICS, Ghana hopes to strengthen its global standing and ensure that its economic interests are prioritized.

Under a Mahama-led government, the focus will be on leveraging diplomatic tools to benefit the ordinary Ghanaian, with an emphasis on partnerships that foster economic growth, stability, and security. The reintegration of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso into ECOWAS is just one of many diplomatic initiatives that Ablakwa and Mahama are committed to pursuing in order to ensure Ghana’s continued prominence on the international stage.

As President Mahama continues to lead efforts to restore ECOWAS unity, Ghana’s foreign policy looks set to reflect a more dynamic and strategic approach to global engagement, prioritizing national interests while exploring new opportunities for economic growth and development.