AS PART of measures to facilitate trade between Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, Ministers of the two countries have agreed in principle to open their borders for 24 hours.
This came to light last Friday, in Yamoussoukro, when the Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Cooperation, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, briefed the press after a meeting held between ministers of the two countries.
The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Palace in Yamoussoukro discussed ways of facilitating the process.
Dr. Nduom told the press about a discussion which touched on giving a new orientation to the Police and the Customs Officers of the two countries who will be the pivot around which much of the process will revolve.
He described the talks as "cordial and friendly" adding that the two countries are prepared to work towards the success of the said proposal.
Dr. Nduom also briefed the press about proposals to promote exchanges between the two countries, especially in areas of culture and media relations.
That of the media, Dr. Nduom said, the meeting discussed ways of allowing media correspondents to be represented in each of the other country.
On her part, the Minister for Media Relations, Ms. Elizabeth Ohene also briefed the press on some of the areas the talks covered.
She mentioned the group discussion on coordinating currencies among member states in the sub-region.
The Media boss noted that trade in the region has been hampered because of the inabi
The Media boss noted that trade in the region has been hampered because of the inability on the part of member countries to ensure the effective working of the ECOWAS protocol particularly on free movement of goods and services as well as people.
She expressed the hope that the discussion will yield the needed fruit so that the said countries will derive the utmost benefit associated with the proposed programmes.
She was hopeful that the technical team after the discussion will add "some weight to what the politicians have discussed" to make the programme a success.
Further to this, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, who led the Ghanaian delegation said the goodwill is there to make the proposal become true.
He maintained that the people are anxious to see the proposal work.
On his part, the leader of the Ivorian discussion, Prof. Sery Bailly, called on the group to look into all areas of exchange to ensure effective action and re-enforcement of relations.
The meeting pulled about 23 ministers, officials from both sides.
It was part of the 5-day official visit of the President, J.A. Kufuor (JAK) to Cote d'Ivoire. JAK was earlier given a rousing welcome by the host President, Laurent Gbagbo at the Yomoussoukro Airport. President Kufuor and Gbagbo were later driven through the principal streets amidst cheering and waving to the Palace.
