Mahama’s claim that Akufo-Addo caused strained diplomatic ties with B. Faso ‘wholly unfounded’, ‘lacks substantial evidence or merit’ – Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration gas dismissed comments by former President John Dramani Mahama that President Akufo-Addo created  “diplomatic tension” with neighbouring Burkina Faso.

John Mahama during a press conference on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 said this tension with the neighbouring Burkina Faso was caused when the President alleged in 2022 that Burkina Faso had hired some Russian mercenaries and entered into agreement with the Wagner Forces.

“Today, Russian mercenaries are on our northern border. Burkina Faso has now entered into an arrangement to go along with Mali in employing the Wagner forces there,” Akufo-Addo said at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington in 2022.

The former President underscored the need for such tension to be resolved emphasizing that the next NDC government will iron out the issues with Burkina Faso.

“We know what is happening in Burkina Faso. Indeed, we should be working closer with our comrades in Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, this government has created some tension between ourselves and Burkina Faso because our President went and open his mouth too wide.

“He went there and went and apologise but still it is not the best and so when government changes we have to go and talk to our neighbours. Indeed, we must work together,” he stated.

But in a statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said “the claims as “wholly unfounded and lack substantial evidence or merit.”

The statement added “It is recalled that a ministerial visit to Burkina Faso in 2022, followed by a visit of the President in 2023 received the highest level of courtesies and hospitality and reinforced the commitment of the two fraternal countries to building stronger bonds of cooperation across all fields, for the mutual benefit of our two people and our region,” it stated.

“It is crucial to emphasise that Ghana is committed to maintaining diplomatic relationships with Burkina Faso. Our interactions with Burkina Faso are guided by the principles of mutual respect and cooperation.”

“The Ministry therefore called for a focus on building bridges and strengthening ties with our neighbour rather than spreading falsehood that only serves to undermine the spirit of international cooperation,” it further noted.

The post Mahama’s claim that Akufo-Addo caused strained diplomatic ties with B. Faso ‘wholly unfounded’, ‘lacks substantial evidence or merit’ – Foreign Affairs Ministry first appeared on 3News.

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