Akufo-Addo’s ‘konkonsa’ has created diplomatic tension with Burkina Faso – Mahama

Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama has accused President Akufo-Addo of creating what he described as a “diplomatic tension” with neighbouring Burkina Faso.

John Mahama during a press conference on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 said this tension with the neighbouring Burkina Faso was caused when the President alleged in 2022 that Burkina Faso had hired some Russian mercenaries and entered into agreement with the Wagner Forces.

“Today, Russian mercenaries are on our northern border. Burkina Faso has now entered into an arrangement to go along with Mali in employing the Wagner forces there,” Akufo-Addo said at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington in 2022.

According to John Mahama, this comment by the President has led to a tension with the neighbouring country although the President has offered apology for his comment.

The former President underscored the need for such tension to be resolved emphasizing that the next NDC government will iron out the issues with Burkina Faso.

“We know what is happening in Burkina Faso. Indeed, we should be working closer with our comrades in Burkina Faso. Unfortunately, this government has created some tension between ourselves and Burkina Faso because our President went and open his mouth too wide.

“You went and was doing ‘konkonsa’ about your neighbour. We all are here and suffering, America called you small and you are so excited and your neighbour you are doing konkonsa about him and so it has created some diplomatic tension.

“He went there and went and apologise but still it is not the best and so when government changes we have to go and talk to our neighbours. Indeed, we must work together,” he stated.

John Mahama said his government will strengthen Ghana’s relationship with Burkina Faso and initiate measures to help prevent the crisis in Burkina Faso from transpiring into Ghana.

“Indeed, the whole anti-terrorism strategy of this sub-region was done in Accra and so we are the host of that initiative so we must be reaching out to them and seeing how we can collaborate with them in order that we quench the fire in their houses.

“Because if there’s a fire in your neigbour’s house, you don’t help him to put it off, it will spread to your house and so I think we must strengthen our relationship with Burkina Faso,” he added.