President Bio on a 1 Day Visit to Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama has received the President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, at the Jubilee House in Accra for a one-day state visit, with discussions centred on Ghana’s recent flood disaster, regional security, climate resilience and deeper cooperation within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The visit also served as an opportunity for President Bio, who currently chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, to formally express condolences and solidarity with the Government and people of Ghana following the devastating floods that have ravaged several communities across the country.

The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall, have displaced tens of thousands of people, destroyed homes and infrastructure, and claimed lives, prompting a nationwide emergency response.

Addressing the media after bilateral talks, President Mahama outlined the government’s ongoing efforts to manage the disaster and support affected communities.

He disclosed that the Ghana Armed Forces, working together with the Joint Task Force, have been deployed to assist in recovery operations, including clearing blocked waterways, restoring access to affected areas and helping communities return to normalcy.

The President further revealed that the Minister for Finance has released funds from the Contingency Fund to facilitate relief operations being coordinated by the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other relevant state institutions.

According to President Mahama, preliminary assessments indicate that approximately 48,000 people have been displaced by the floods, with 12 confirmed deaths and several others still missing as search, rescue and relief operations continue.

He assured Ghanaians that government remains committed to providing humanitarian assistance and ensuring affected communities receive the necessary support during the recovery process.

Beyond the flood situation, the two leaders held extensive bilateral discussions on key regional issues, including peace and security, democratic governance, economic integration and preparations for the upcoming ECOWAS Summit to be hosted in Sierra Leone.

President Mahama reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to working closely with Sierra Leone and other member states to strengthen regional institutions and collectively address emerging security and development challenges confronting West Africa.

President Julius Maada Bio expressed heartfelt sympathy to the Government and people of Ghana over the tragic loss of lives and widespread destruction caused by the floods.

He stressed that the disaster highlights the growing impact of climate change across the region and called for stronger collaboration among ECOWAS member states to improve disaster preparedness, climate adaptation strategies and sustainable urban planning.

President Bio noted that no country can effectively confront the increasing threats posed by climate-related disasters in isolation, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation, information sharing and coordinated emergency response mechanisms.

He also reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to working with Ghana to advance the ECOWAS agenda, promote regional stability and accelerate economic integration for the benefit of citizens across West Africa.

The state visit reinforced the longstanding diplomatic relations between Ghana and Sierra Leone, with both leaders pledging to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors while strengthening ECOWAS as a platform for peace, stability, economic growth and sustainable development throughout the sub-region.

Author: Joyce Owusu
Credit: Jubilee House