Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Burkina Faso have reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering security, peace, social cohesion, and sustainable socio-economic development within the Volta Region’s cross-border areas.

The pledge was made during the opening of the Extraordinary General Meeting of the ESCO VOLTA umbrella organisation, held in Accra.

The primary focus of the meeting was to update ESCO VOLTA’s statutes and internal regulations in order to formally integrate Ghana’s Savannah Region into the organisation, which coordinates cross-border cooperation in the Volta area.

The ESCO Black Volta Cross-Border Cooperation is an initiative aimed at fostering collaboration between Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire along their shared Black Volta River boundary.

This project is part of a larger African Union effort to enhance cooperation across African borders, supported by frameworks such as the African Union Border Programme (AUBP).

The cooperation is focused on improving shared resources management, regional security, and socio-economic development.

The Ghana Boundary Commission (GhBC), supported by GIZ and UEMOA, facilitated the event, which will span two days. In addition to updating the organisation’s framework, discussions covered ways to deepen collaboration on pressing regional challenges.

In his opening remarks, Major General Emmanuel Kotia, Commissioner General of the Ghana Boundary Commission, commended ESCO BLACK VOLTA for establishing a shared platform that enables effective coordination and communication to address mutual climatic, social, economic, and security challenges.

He described it as an integrated cross-border development approach vital for the region.

Other notable speakers included Pauline Okkens, representative of the German Ambassador, and Philippe Hein, President of ESCO BLACK VOLTA, each affirming their support for the joint efforts of the three nations.

Attendees included key figures such as the President of ESCO VOLTA and the Bounkani Region, Hien Philippe, as well as representatives from Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Burkina Faso’s public border organisations, including officials from Burkina Faso's South-West Region and Ghana's Volta and Savannah Regions.

During the opening ceremony, Konate Diakalidia, Executive Secretary of Côte d'Ivoire's Boundary Commission, CNFCI, and other leaders from the three nations reiterated the importance of regional integration through cooperative efforts.

They unanimously highlighted ESCO VOLTA’s role as a crucial platform for advancing shared objectives, including strengthened security, social harmony, and sustainable growth across borders.