Article Written by Samuel Mahama
President John Dramani Mahama, even before his official investiture, embarked on a series of diplomatic visits to his counterparts across the continent. His objective was to foster smooth and constructive diplomatic relations between Ghana and the rest of Africa. To some observers, these visits were merely customary, reflecting the tradition of newly elected heads of state familiarizing themselves with regional counterparts. Others, however, particularly within Ghana, perceived his engagements as excessive, interpreting them as a form of celebratory globetrotting. Such interpretations, however, misrepresented the strategic underpinnings of his diplomatic initiative.
On January 11, merely four days after President Mahama’s investiture, I authored an article analyzing the implications of his return to office for the ECOWAS sub-region (link: [https://www.modernghana.com/news/1371028/what-the-return-of-john-mahama-means-to-the-ecowas.amp](https://www.modernghana.com/news/1371028/what-the-return-of-john-mahama-means-to-the-ecowas.amp)). The piece highlighted critical issues concerning the secession of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from ECOWAS and their subsequent formation of the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES). Given President Mahama’s recent visits to these nations, it is imperative to extend that initial analysis to further examine his diplomatic efforts.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto, titled *Resetting Ghana*, explicitly outlines its vision for international relations and foreign policy. On page 160, under the seventh chapter, “Deepening International Relations and Foreign Policy,” the NDC pledged to “work strategically to reintegrate the fraternal countries of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for enhanced regional stability.” From the outset, President Mahama demonstrated a clear commitment to positioning himself as the bridge between the Alliance of Sahelian States and ECOWAS. In furtherance of this vision, he appointed Mr. Larry Gbevlo-Lartey as Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahelian States. Additionally, he has engaged in shuttle diplomacy, engaging with these nations to rebuild trust and foster dialogue.
As a statesman with extensive international and regional experience, and having previously served as Chairperson of ECOWAS, President Mahama possesses an in-depth understanding of the sub-region’s political dynamics. His proven track record in conflict mediation has earned him considerable credibility among regional leaders. In his bilateral engagements with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, he identified the fundamental issue affecting regional cohesion: a deficit of trust.
Africa has experienced various political dispensations, from the era of independence leaders to the periods marked by military juntas, dictatorial regimes, guerrilla movements, and, more recently, democratic governance. The continent has seen figures such as Idi Amin, whose tenure as Chair of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) remains infamous, as well as Blaise Compaoré and Sani Abacha, who wielded significant influence within ECOWAS in the 1990s despite their authoritarian rule. It is thus paradoxical that leaders such as Burkina Faso’s Ibrahim Traoré, whose administration has reportedly reinvigorated national development and stability, now find themselves subjected to ECOWAS-imposed sanctions. Since the assumption of office by the current leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, there have been no widespread reports of human rights violations, crimes against humanity, political repression, or ethnic and religious persecution. This raises critical questions about the long-term consequences of economic and trade sanctions, which could ultimately harm the sub-region’s economic integration and stability.
In line with his manifesto commitments, President Mahama has assured these three nations of Ghana’s commitment to bilateral cooperation and regional solidarity. During his visit to Mali, he underscored the historical ties between Ghana and Mali, recalling the close relationship between Kwame Nkrumah and Modibo Keïta during the Ghana-Guinea-Mali Union. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to maintaining robust trade and economic relations with Mali. In Burkina Faso, he took an even more assertive stance, assuring the leadership that the grievances of the seceded states would be conveyed to other ECOWAS heads of state. He further indicated Ghana’s willingness to collaborate on key economic initiatives, including power supply agreements, trade in agricultural products, enhancement of transit corridors, and the facilitation of direct flights between Accra and Ouagadougou.
In his work *A Handbook on Regional Integration in Africa: Towards Agenda 2063*, Vickers advances trade-based integration as a viable model for fostering regional cohesion, outlining a structured approach toward its realization. While some scholars advocate for a more comprehensive developmental integration model, President Mahama has effectively combined both approaches in his diplomatic engagements. His strategy embraces both economic and trade-based integration while concurrently pursuing developmental cooperation aimed at fostering greater interconnectedness within the sub-region.
**Author: Samuel Mahama**
The author holds a Master of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy, a Master of Laws (LL.M) in International Law, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B). His research interests include regional integration, Pan-Africanism, international law and development, and conflict resolution.