Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for stronger economic cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana, urging both countries to move beyond political relations and pursue measures that will expand trade, boost industrial development and create employment opportunities across West Africa.
The governor made the call while receiving Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Julius Debrah, during a courtesy visit to Ahmadu Bello House in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The visit preceded President Mahama’s trip to Offa for the maiden convocation ceremony of the University of Offa.
AbdulRazaq said Nigeria and Ghana had maintained cordial political relations over the years, but stressed that stronger economic partnerships could deliver greater benefits to both countries and the wider West African region.
He called for a renewed commitment to economic development, particularly through the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
According to the governor, reducing barriers to the movement of goods and services would help strengthen manufacturing, increase economic output and generate more jobs across the region.
He said both countries needed to take practical steps to translate their longstanding diplomatic relations into meaningful commercial partnerships.
The governor also advocated the introduction of a common currency for the British West African sub-region, drawing comparisons with existing currency arrangements among some French-speaking West African countries.
He called for a clear implementation timetable for the proposed single currency, noting that such an arrangement could represent a significant step towards deeper regional economic integration.
AbdulRazaq further highlighted the importance of regional infrastructure projects, particularly the Trans-West African Highway and the Abidjan-Lagos Coastal Road. He said improved transport connections would make it easier for businesses to move goods across borders and strengthen trade among West African countries.
Turning to opportunities for cooperation between Kwara State and Ghana, the governor called for greater collaboration in cocoa production, processing and management.
He noted that Kwara is among Nigeria’s cocoa-producing states and said the state could benefit from Ghana’s experience in developing and sustaining its position as a major player in the global cocoa industry.
AbdulRazaq said stronger cooperation in the sector could help improve production practices, expand processing capacity and create additional economic opportunities for farmers and businesses.
In his remarks, President Mahama expressed support for stronger bilateral trade relations between Ghana and Nigeria, emphasising the need to expand economic cooperation beyond the political framework of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
He observed that although ECOWAS had primarily operated as a political arrangement, its regional integration objectives could be advanced through stronger trade agreements between member countries.
Mahama also stressed the importance of improving commercial relations between Ghana and Nigeria, noting that the African Continental Free Trade Area is headquartered in Accra, Ghana.
He said closer economic ties between the two countries would support the broader objectives of continental trade integration.
Other members of the Ghanaian delegation included the country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Sadiq Abdulai Abu; the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority, Simon Madjie; and Dr Tenewa Asamoah, Head of Political and Economic Affairs at the Ghanaian High Commission, among others.
The discussions highlighted opportunities for Nigeria and Ghana to deepen bilateral trade, strengthen regional infrastructure, improve agricultural cooperation and explore policies aimed at promoting economic integration across West Africa.
