Ghana supports Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara
According to The Arab Weekly, in a news story published on June 7th, Ghana has officially endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan as the sole basis for resolving the long-standing Western Sahara conflict, aligning itself with an expanding bloc of Western, African, and Arab nations supporting Rabat’s stance.
The Western Sahara dispute remains a deeply entrenched geopolitical challenge, pitting Morocco – asserting sovereignty over the territory – against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which continues to advocate for self-determination. However, support for Morocco’s position is gaining international momentum.
Ghana’s government considers the autonomy initiative “as the only realistic and sustainable basis to a mutually agreed solution to the issue,” as stated in a joint communiqué released following talks in Rabat between Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita.
The statement also reaffirmed that the United Nations should remain the exclusive framework for negotiating a lasting resolution.
Ghana’s announcement follows recent endorsements of the Moroccan plan by Kenya and the United Kingdom, highlighting a growing diplomatic shift in favour of Rabat’s approach.
Beyond geopolitical alignment, the two countries agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in defence and security, and to pursue a visa waiver arrangement. Economic collaboration is also in focus. With Morocco’s OCP Group being a global fertiliser and phosphate leader, both nations plan to enhance agricultural cooperation – particularly in boosting Ghana’s cocoa farming and reducing its $3 billion annual food import bill, according to Ablakwa.
The Ghanaian minister also reiterated his country’s support for Morocco’s broader regional vision, including the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project and Rabat’s initiative to provide landlocked Sahel nations with access to global markets via the Atlantic.
Bourita welcomed Ghana’s stance on the Western Sahara issue, calling it a catalyst for strengthened bilateral ties.
Since the United States formally recognised Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020, Morocco’s autonomy proposal has continued to gain significant traction, with France joining the list of supporters in July of last year.
The Arab Weekly/ Maghrebi.org
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