Professor Kwesi Aning, Head of the Office for International Cooperation at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has commended President John Dramani Mahama for reinforcing his stature as a Pan-African statesman through his recent diplomatic engagements with Sahel States.
He praised Mahama for astutely leveraging Ghana’s historical ties with Burkina Faso to enhance diplomatic relations.
In an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Monday May 19, Prof Aning highlighted Mahama’s strategic approach, noting that the President has been “extremely smart and savvy in tapping into Ghana’s history with Burkina Faso.”
He emphasized that Mahama’s foreign policy team effectively utilises historical narratives and emotional intelligence to foster goodwill and demonstrate solidarity with neighboring nations.
Aning further pointed out that Mahama’s diplomatic efforts serve as a contrast to previous administrations, particularly referencing former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s approach.
He suggested that Mahama’s engagement with Burkina Faso reflects a deeper understanding of regional dynamics and a commitment to Pan-African unity.
“Mahama and his foreign policy team understand how to use the history, emotions or emotional intelligence to show appreciation and to send signal that we understand you. That when Nana Addo attempted to sell you to the Americans we are not [in support]. So President Mahama has embellish his own pan Africanist stature,” Prof Aning said.
President Mahama has prioritized diplomatic re-engagement with the Sahelian neighbors, appointing a special envoy to initiate high-level conversations with the three countries following their withdrawal from ECOWAS in January 2024. He has also extended invitations to their leaders to attend ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Accra, signaling a commitment to reconciliation .
The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS led to the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation aimed at enhancing regional security cooperation and reducing reliance on Western partners . President Mahama’s efforts are seen as a strategic move to bridge the divide and promote unity within the West African region.
