The High Commissioner-designate of Nigeria to Ghana, Shehu Ilu Barde, has presented his Open Letter to Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Accra.
Welcoming the envoy, Mr. Ablakwa described Ghana and Nigeria as two countries bound by deep historical ties, shared democratic values and a common commitment to regional peace, security and economic integration.
He noted that the two West African nations have consistently worked together within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promote stability, democratic governance and the free movement of people and goods across the sub-region.
The Minister emphasised that closer cooperation between Africa’s two largest economies in West Africa would be critical to unlocking the full potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), whose Secretariat is headquartered in Accra.
He noted that enhanced collaboration in trade, investment and industrial development would strengthen intra-African commerce and advance the continent’s economic integration agenda while calling on Nigeria and other ECOWAS Member States to sustain efforts towards the implementation of the proposed regional single currency, the ECO, as part of broader measures to deepen economic integration.
Mr. Ablakwa further reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Nigeria, describing the relationship as one of the most strategic partnerships in West Africa, underpinned by extensive people-to-people exchanges, commercial links and cooperation on regional security.
The Nigerian envoy succeeds Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana from 2021 until 2026, when he was reassigned to the Philippines following President Bola Tinubu’s ambassadorial postings. During that period, he was also appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State in March 2025.
In his remarks, Mr. Barde reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations with Ghana across key sectors, including trade, investment, education, energy and regional cooperation. He pledged to work closely with the Government of Ghana to build on the longstanding friendship between the two countries and advance the objectives of ECOWAS and the AfCFTA.
Ghana and Nigeria remain among ECOWAS’ most influential economies and continue to play leading roles in regional diplomacy, conflict prevention and economic integration. Both countries are key advocates of the AfCFTA and have consistently supported initiatives aimed at reducing trade barriers, improving regional connectivity and expanding opportunities for businesses across the continent.
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