President John Mahama has met his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan in Arusha on March 2.
Their discussions covered a wide range of issues including bilateral relations between the two countries.
Here highlights of their meeting.
On Middle East Tensions & Economic Impact:
– President Mahama expressed alarm over escalating attacks between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, and counter-attacks on Gulf states.
– Warned that the region is the “epicentre of global oil supplies” and that Africa must prepare for inevitable economic shocks.
– Stressed that rising crude prices have direct negative effects on African economies.
On Ghana-Tanzania Bilateral Relations:
– Both leaders acknowledged the historic bond between Kwame Nkrumah and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
– Identified the absence of a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) and agreed to fast-track its establishment.
– Discussions are underway toward a possible state visit to formalise several MOUs.
On Economic Transformation & Resource Sovereignty:
– President Mahama shared Ghana’s success in gold sector reforms: small-scale gold exports rose from 63 tons to 104 tons in nine months, injecting $10 billion into the economy.
– Emphasised the need for African nations to exercise sovereignty over natural resources.
– Announced Ghana’s plan to break from external cocoa financing: from next season, the country will raise local funds to purchase at least 400,000 metric tons of cocoa for domestic processing.
On the African Court & Human Rights:
– Described the Court as one “Africans can be proud of” and urged member states yet to ratify its protocol to do so.
On Tanzania’s Post-Election Situation:
– Commended President Hassan for establishing an independent Commission of Inquiry and planning a Reconciliation Commission.
– Stated that such transparency helps nations learn lessons and strengthens multiparty democracy.
On Reparations Agenda:
– As AU Champion on Reparations, President Mahama confirmed that a resolution recognising the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity will be tabled at the UN General Assembly on March 25.
-He acknowledged Tanzania’s firm support for the reparations cause.
Here are photos from the meeting:
