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Ghana, Togo direct security chiefs to meet on
trans-border crimes
Accra, Aug. 26, Ghanadot/GNA - The Presidents of Ghana and Togo have
directed their security chiefs to meet as a matter of
urgency to examine all aspects of co-operation to bring down
trans-border crimes.
Prof John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana and Faure Essozimna
Gnassingbe of Togo also reiterated the need to reconstitute
and convene their Joint Border Demarcation Commission within
the first quarter of 2010 in response to the security
challenges along the common borders.
Such crimes include drug trafficking, illicit trade in small
arms and light weapons, human and currency trafficking.
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Atta Mills of Ghana and Faure Essozimna
Gnassingbe of Togo |
At the end of a two-day official visit of the Togolese
leader to Ghana on Wednesday, the two Presidents expressed
the conviction to enhance their bilateral relations and
co-operation.
The leaders, therefore, directed the Ministers of Foreign
Affairs and Regional Integration of the two countries to
co-ordinate the identified areas of co-operation and convene
the Permanent Joint Commission for Co-operation not later
than December 15, 2009.
In a 20-point joint communiqué signed by Alhaji Muhammad
Mumuni, Foreign Affairs Minister, and his Togolese
counterpart Mr Koffi Esaw, the two Presidents renewed their
commitment to accelerate the process of regional
integration.
They also reaffirmed their determination to accelerate the
process of regional integration in promoting the free
movement of persons, goods and services and to intensify
trade and economic relations between their two countries and
within the sub-region.
“They noted with great satisfaction the contribution that
the Co-Prosperity Alliance Zone comprising Benin, Ghana,
Nigeria and Togo could make in accelerating the process of
regional integration,” the communiqué, read by Alhaji Mumuni
said.
On the political reforms Togo, the leaders appreciated the
recent reforms in the Electoral Code and the restructuring
of the Independent Electoral Commission and their impact on
future elections.
President Mills reaffirmed Ghana’s preparedness to continue
to support Togo’s electoral process through sharing of
experiences and the provision of technical assistance as
might be required and called for closer collaboration of the
Electoral Commissions of the two countries.
“These developments should strengthen the basis for ensuring
a calm political environment and reconciliation for a free,
transparent, fair and violence-free presidential election
due in 2010,” the communiqué said.
On the visit of the US President US Barack Obama to Ghana
last month, the two leaders noted the impact of that visit
beyond the borders of Ghana as far as the message on
democracy and good governance was concerned, and agreed that
President Obama’s visit had had serious implications for
Africa’s development which should not be taken for granted.
Both Presidents also reviewed the political situation in
Guinea Bissau, Guinea and Niger, and expressed satisfaction
with the progress made for the holding of democratic
elections in Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon.
The two leaders also called on the international community
to remain engaged with the situation in Sudan and in Somalia
and to continue the search for lasting solutions to the
crises and relieve the people of the two countries from
suffering.
The visit of the Togolese leader was a follow up to that of
President Mills to Togo last April.
The two leaders also reviewed the current international
economic crisis.
They expressed the hope that the commitments made by the
developed countries at the G20 Summit last April in London
were implemented to minimize the adverse effects of the
world economic slowdown on the economies of developing
countries.
The two delegations considered the existing and mutually
beneficial areas of trade, energy, water resources, food and
agriculture, health, telecommunications, defence and
security sectors.
During President Gnassingbe’s visit he toured the Asogli
Power Plant at Kpone, near Tema, the Pioneer Food Cannery in
Tema and the Akosombo Hydro Electric Dam.
President Gnassingbe has since returned home.
GNA
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