Ghana affirms support for Morocco's Autonomy Initiative on Western Sahara

Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Dr. Akosua Mensah-Bonsu (not pictured) engages with Moroccan counterpart, H.E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, in Accra on 5 June 2025.

• Ghana has formally endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, recognizing it as a serious and credible basis for a lasting political solution.

• This endorsement, announced during a high-level meeting in Accra, aligns with Ghana's commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and contributes to increasing international support for Morocco's initiative.

• Both Ghana and Morocco emphasized the importance of continued UN-led dialogue and negotiation among all parties to achieve a final settlement, while also affirming strong bilateral ties and cooperation.

Ghana has formally expressed its endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan as a serious and credible basis for resolving the long-standing regional dispute concerning the Western Sahara.

This affirmation came during a high-level bilateral meeting last Thursday, June 5th in Accra between Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Honorable Dr. Akosua Mensah-Bonsu, and the visiting Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Mr. Nasser Bourita.

Minister Mensah-Bonsu conveyed Ghana's conviction that the Moroccan autonomy initiative, presented in 2007, offers a pragmatic and viable pathway towards a mutually acceptable political solution, in full accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. She reiterated Ghana's unwavering commitment to the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes and emphasized the necessity for all stakeholders to engage constructively and in good faith to achieve a lasting resolution to this protracted issue.

"Ghana views the Moroccan autonomy plan as a significant and constructive contribution to the ongoing efforts to find a just and enduring political solution to the question of the Western Sahara," stated Minister Mensah-Bonsu during a joint press briefing following the meeting. "We encourage all parties involved to build upon this proposal and engage in a spirit of compromise to achieve a resolution that upholds regional stability and fosters greater cooperation."

Minister Bourita welcomed Ghana's formal endorsement, highlighting the growing international recognition of Morocco's autonomy initiative as a realistic and credible framework. He underscored the Kingdom's continued commitment to a political process under the exclusive auspices of the United Nations, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and negotiation among all parties concerned, including Algeria, in a spirit of realism and consensus.

"The Kingdom of Morocco deeply appreciates Ghana's clear and unequivocal support for our autonomy initiative," Minister Bourita affirmed. "This endorsement reflects a shared understanding of the need for pragmatic solutions to regional challenges and reinforces the growing momentum behind our proposal within the international community. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the UN-led process and call upon all stakeholders to engage constructively to achieve a definitive political settlement."

The two ministers further discussed avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including trade, investment, and security. They reaffirmed the strong historical ties and shared commitment to African unity and development that underpin the robust relationship between Ghana and Morocco. Discussions also touched upon regional security challenges and the importance of coordinated efforts to address terrorism and instability in the Sahel region.

Ghana's endorsement follows a trend of increasing international support for Morocco's autonomy plan, with numerous countries recognizing its seriousness and credibility as a basis for a negotiated solution. This development occurs as the United Nations continues its efforts to facilitate dialogue and achieve a mutually acceptable political solution to the issue of the Western Sahara. The personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Western Sahara is expected to continue engaging with all parties in the coming months to advance the political process.

The meeting in Accra underscores the active diplomatic engagement by both Ghana and Morocco on critical regional issues. Ghana's explicit support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative signals a significant diplomatic alignment and further strengthens bilateral relations between the two African nations, while also contributing to the ongoing international discourse surrounding the resolution of the Western Sahara dispute.