The Head of State, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé discussed issues of common interest with his Ghanaian counterpart, Nana Akufo Addo, on a friendly and working visit to Lomé yesterday. The Ghanaian President was welcomed around 10:18 a.m. at Gnassingbé Eyadèma International Airport by the Head of State, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé, the President of the National Assembly, Yawa Djigbodi Tsègan, designated government officials and traditional chiefs from the Gulf prefecture.
Face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state
The reception protocol, which took place in strict compliance with health measures linked to Covid-19, was marked by the performance of Ghanaian and Togolese anthems, followed by military honors and customary salutations. After this protocol, the Head of State and his guest went to the Palace of Lomé II, where they had a face-to-face meeting, later extended to the delegations accompanying them.
Working sessions between the Togolese and Ghanaian delegation
During the interview focused on bilateral and regional issues, both parties have discussed topics of common interest relating to the strengthening of cooperation, security challenges in the sub-region, in order to deal with jihadist threats and other current issues. A joint communiqué sanctioned the visit.
Joint communiqué sanctioning the friendly and working visit of His Excellency Mr. Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana
- Within the framework of good neighborly relations between Togo and Ghana and at the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Togolese Republic, His Excellency Mr. Nana AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana, carried out a friendly and working visit to Togo on July 28, 2022.
- 2- The two Heads of State held talks during which they proceeded to in-depth exchanges of views on subjects relating to bilateral and regional issues.
- 3- Addressing bilateral issues, the two Presidents welcomed the excellent relations of brotherhood and cooperation that unite their two countries and reiterated their common desire to further strengthen them in the interest of their respective populations. .
- 4- The two Heads of State are committed to facilitating the free movement of people and goods between their two countries. In this regard, they welcomed the acceleration of the process of operationalization of the juxtaposed checkpoint of Noèpé-Akanu. They also reviewed issues related to the security and delimitation of their common border.
- 5- His Excellency Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE was delighted with the favorable climate for peace and security prevailing in Ghana and renewed his congratulations to his Ghanaian counterpart for the remarkable leadership and skill with which he chaired the Economic Community of West African States until the end of his mandate on July 3rd.
- 6- President Nana AKUFO-ADDO, for his part, underlined the effectiveness of the diplomatic actions of the President of the Togolese Republic to guarantee peace, security and stability within our community space. He was also delighted to welcome, like all the other members, Togo within the Commonwealth.
- 7- Examining the situation in the sub-region, Presidents GNASSINGBE and AKUFO-ADDO expressed their concerns at the rise of terrorism in the West African space, in particular its progression towards the countries of the Gulf of Guinea, marked, among other , by the resurgence of attacks in the northern regions of Togo. The President of Ghana once more presented his condolences to President GNASSINGBE, the Togolese people and the families of the victims of the said attacks. He assured him of the support and solidarity of the government and people of Ghana.
- 8- The two Heads of State called for the strengthening of cooperation between the ECOWAS States and invited the international community to show more solidarity in order to strengthen the States’ capacities in terms of security.
- 9- At the end of his friendly and working visit, His Excellency Mr. Nana AKUFO-ADDO expressed to his brother and friend, His Excellency Mr. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, to the Government and to the Togolese people, his sincere thanks and his deep gratitude for the particularly warm and fraternal welcome extended to him and to the accompanying delegation.
- 10- President Nana AKUFO-ADDO invited his Togolese counterpart to pay a visit to Ghana.
- 11- President Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE accepted this invitation with good grace. The date of this visit will be set later through diplomatic channels.
Lome, July 28, 2022
For the Government of the For the Government
Togolese Republic of the Republic of Ghana
