Arusha: President John Dramani Mahama has held a bilateral meeting with his Tanzanian counterpart, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, at the State House in Arusha, Tanzania. During the discussions, the two leaders acknowledged the historic bond between their founding presidents, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania.
According to Ghana News Agency, the absence of a Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) was identified, and both presidents agreed to expedite its establishment. They also discussed potential state visits to formalize several memoranda of understanding (MoUs), which could further cement their countries' relationship.
On the topic of economic transformation and resource sovereignty, President Mahama shared Ghana's success in reforming the gold sector. The reforms led to an increase in small-scale gold exports from 63 tons to 104 tons in just nine months, injecting $10 billion into the nation's economy. He stressed the importance of African nations exercising sovereignty over their natural resources. Additionally, President Mahama announced Ghana's plan to move away from external cocoa financing. Starting next season, the country aims to raise local funds to purchase at least 400,000 metric tons of cocoa for domestic processing.
Regarding Tanzania's post-election situation, President Mahama commended President Hassan for forming an independent Commission of Inquiry and planning a Reconciliation Commission. He noted that such transparency allows nations to learn valuable lessons and strengthen multiparty democracy.
Addressing the reparations agenda, President Mahama, who serves as the African Union (AU) Champion on Reparations, confirmed that a resolution recognizing the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity will be presented at the UN General Assembly on March 25. He expressed gratitude for Tanzania's strong support for the reparations cause.
President Mahama's visit to Tanzania was also marked by his role as the guest of honour at the opening of the 2026 Judicial Year and the 20th Anniversary of the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights.