Ghana and Burkina Faso have sealed a groundbreaking joint security framework in a decisive move to fortify defenses against escalating jihadist violence, vowing aggressive action to eradicate terrorism and violent extremism across their shared borders.
Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa revealed the breakthrough following intensive, no-holds-barred discussions during his high-impact two-day official visit to Ouagadougou.
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The minister described his engagements as very substantive, impactful, and deeply honest with Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, and equally positive, meaningful, and forward-looking with Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré.
Beyond security, the two nations have also established a fresh partnership on disaster management, with a specific focus on addressing the recurring spillage of the Bagré Dam in Burkina Faso, which has historically caused flooding in northern Ghana.
Both nations strongly condemned the wave of recent acts of terrorism ravaging the sub-region, extended heartfelt condolences to grieving families, and committed to urgent, concrete measures to dismantle the terrorist networks.
“We condemned the recent terror attacks, expressed our commiserations with affected families, and decided to design and adopt a new security framework aimed at neutralising the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism,” Ablakwa stated in a powerful Facebook update on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
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To supercharge collaboration, the two countries revived their long-dormant Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) after six years of inactivity. Ablakwa hailed the resumed session as extremely successful.
The revitalized PJCC culminated in the signing of seven strategic agreements, including a critical pact to combat the illicit cultivation, production, manufacture, and trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, alongside enhanced cross-border security mechanisms.
This renewed alliance builds directly on earlier landmark engagements between President John Dramani Mahama and Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traoré in January and March 2026.
The two states, at the conclusion of the PJCC, signed 7 agreements, which include 1) Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of National Driver’s Licenses; 2) Agreement on Transport and Road Transit; 3) Framework Agreement on Cross border cooperation; 4) Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of periodic consultation frameworks between the border administrative Authorities; 5) Memorandum of Understanding regarding the creation of a joint commission to reaffirm the border between two countries; 6) Cooperation agreement on the prevention and management of disasters and humanitarian crises; 7) Agreement in the Field of fighting illicit cultivation, production, manufacture and trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and related matters.”
Expressing profound gratitude for the exceptional hospitality extended by the Burkinabè government and people, Mr.Ablakwa reaffirmed Ghana’s unwavering dedication to deepening ties for lasting peace, stability, and shared prosperity throughout West Africa.