By Hannah Dadzie
Ghana and Sierra Leone have begun the first-ever session of their Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) in Accra, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing practical areas of collaboration between the two countries.
The three-day technical session brings together senior officials to deliberate on key sectors including trade, agriculture, energy, health, and security, with a focus on delivering tangible outcomes.
The meeting serves as a direct follow-up to the high-level diplomatic momentum generated by President John Dramani Mahama’s visit to Freetown in March 2025 and President Julius Maada Bio’s engagement in Accra in January 2026.
Chief Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Khadija Iddrisu, described the meeting as a “refreshing occasion” that signals renewed commitment by both countries to deepen cooperation through structured dialogue and practical engagement.
“Today we are giving effect to those instructions and we are reintegrating the relations between Ghana and Sierra Leone. We have reactivated a framework that had remained dormant, transforming our economies and the fortunes of our people as we seize fully the immense economic and trade prospects,” Ambassador Iddrisu stated.
The Chief Director highlighted existing synergies, specifically noting Ghanaian investments in Sierra Leone’s mining sector through a US$25 million facility provided to Maya Mining via Ecobank Ghana and the Africa Finance Corporation.
She indicated that Ghana and Sierra Leone share long-standing ties, with collaboration spanning trade, defence, security, and capacity building, contributing to peace and stability in the West African sub-region.
“Over the years, cooperative security arrangements between our two countries, ongoing military training partnerships and the increasing exchanges between our respective civil aviation authorities have laid a strong foundation for peace and stability in West Africa and the translation of our aspirations into tangible outcomes,” Ambassador Iddrisu said
“As technical experts and senior officials, we bear the responsibility to ensure that our deliberations remain focused, practical and aligned with the shared objectives of our two countries. I therefore encourage all participants to engage collaboratively and constructively with the goal of generating actionable outcomes that will go a long way to strengthening bilateral cooperation for the benefit of our peoples.” She added
On his part, Sierra Leone’s Director-General at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alan Logan, said the meeting is not merely a routine diplomatic exercise but a direct fulfilment of a shared vision by the two countries’ leaders to transform historical relations into a modern, results-oriented partnership.
He outlined priority areas for the talks, including securing sustainable energy solutions, strengthening agricultural value chains, particularly in cocoa, and enhancing defence and security cooperation.
“Over the next few days, our technical teams will focus on critical sectors that form the backbone of our development, following critical review of proposals submitted by both sides and the technical inputs and recommendations provided. In the energy sector, we will be looking at how we can secure sustainable power solutions for our growing economies. In trade and agriculture, we will be exploring ways to enhance the cocoa sector in Sierra Leone through the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board and exploring broader agricultural value chains,” Mr Logan stated.
The Minister highlighted Sierra Leone’s interest in leveraging Ghana’s expertise in cocoa production to boost its own sector, while both countries explore broader economic opportunities.
“Let us work with diligence and a spirit of compromise, ensuring that every agreement we draft and eventually sign translates into tangible benefits for the citizens of Ghana, of Sierra Leone, of the sub-region, and of the continent,” he added.
Both sides have expressed optimism that the session will culminate in the finalization of key agreements to be signed at the ministerial meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, with the ultimate goal of delivering meaningful benefits to their citizens and advancing regional integration.
