Ghana has stressed the need for the strengthening of its bilateral relations with neighbouring Burkina Faso for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
Mr Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, made the call on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the 55th Independence Anniversary of Burkina Faso held at Po on Tuesday.
"As your country celebrates this joyous and historic occasion, let us reflect on the various sister-city relations our two countries have entered into and strategize as to how best these and many other areas of cooperation can be enhanced for our mutual benefit and improvement in the lives of our people".
He indicated that Ghana and Burkina-Faso were like two sisters from different mothers because the two nations had always participated in each others’ major programmes and activities with such joy and admiration and said if the two countries continued to strengthen the bilateral relations at all levels, including security, trade, free movement of persons and goods among others, it would help improve upon the people's livelihoods.
Mr Woyongo stated that in November, 2012 his deputy, Mrs Lucy Awuni led a delegation from Ghana to Kombissiri in Burkina Faso for a tripartite security meeting involving Ghana, Togo and Burkina Faso which discussed ways of strengthening their ties and ways of dealing with trans-border crime between the two countries.
He said he also led a similar delegation from Ghana to Tenkodogo in Burkina Faso in August, 2012 for a three-day forum on the use of the shared resources of the White Volta Basin.
He announced that Ghana had once again shown to the whole world that democracy in Africa was fast gaining roots and growing year by year.
"Ghana has for the 6th time conducted peaceful elections and has gained international recognition which should be emulated by other African countries", he stressed.
The Governor of the Central South Region of Burkina Faso, Thonbiano Mamuna assured the Ghanaian delegation that Burkina Faso would continue to work harder to improve upon the bilateral relations between the two countries.
She commended her country's workers and International Development partners for partnering with government to improve upon the socio-economic wellbeing of the people.
In all, 32 personalities were awarded by the Burkinabe government for distinguishing themselves and contributing significantly to national development.