Constitutional Rights and Policy Strategy Advisor at Democracy Hub, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has praised President John Dramani Mahama’s deliberate efforts to repair Ghana’s strained relations with neighbouring countries during his inauguration on January 7.

In an interview on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, January 11, he highlighted the President’s proactive approach to fostering regional cooperation and stability.

“President Mahama was very intentional about his outreach efforts to mend Ghana’s relationship with its neighbours and redefine its stance in Africa. This message was overwhelmingly received and positively responded to by neighbouring nations,” Barker-Vormawor said.

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He added “The body language towards our neighbours is shifting from some of the tensions we witnessed in the past administration. This is critical, especially for fostering unity within ECOWAS and addressing shared challenges."

Addressing recent debates surrounding the presence of Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, at Mahama’s inauguration, Barker-Vormawor emphasised the need for contextual understanding. While Traoré’s appearance, including his carrying of a firearm, sparked conversations, Barker-Vormawor defended the gesture as reflective of Burkina Faso’s current wartime reality.

“Yes, the presence of a firearm may seem jarring, but we must contextualize it. Burkina Faso is a nation at war, and its head of state is a wartime leader. Their appearances reflect this reality,” he said.

Barker-Vormawor further argued that such concessions are necessary to repair diplomatic ties and restore Burkina Faso’s active participation in ECOWAS.

“If these gestures help rebuild relationships and bring Burkina Faso back into the ECOWAS fold, they are worth it. Setting the right tone for regional cooperation is crucial,” he added.