Ghana: Ghana, Gabon Decries Xenophobia - Commits to African Integration

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a Ghanaian Times report, says Ghana and Gabon have jointly condemned xenophobia and urged African countries to confront discrimination more decisively. The position was set out in a communique after talks in Accra between Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who was in Ghana on a three-day state visit at Mahama’s invitation.

According to the report, the communique was signed by Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Gabon’s Foreign Affairs Minister Marie-Edith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbenen. The two governments said xenophobia undermines continental unity, shared development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Ghanaian Times linked the statement to renewed attacks on Black migrants in South Africa, reporting that Ghana had confirmed two citizen deaths since a renewed wave began in April.

The presidents also pledged closer coordination in forums including the African Union, the United Nations and the African Continental Free Trade Area. The communique said they discussed regional and global issues and reaffirmed support for peace, security, constitutional governance, democracy, rule of law and sustainable development across Africa.

Beyond the anti-xenophobia message, the visit focused on expanding Ghana-Gabon cooperation. Areas identified included trade, mining and mineral value addition, oil and gas, energy, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, climate and biodiversity, maritime affairs, education, digital transformation, health, tourism, culture, and defence and security. The meeting matters as both governments framed bilateral ties as part of a wider push for African integration and collective action under AU development goals.