Ghana Joins France, UK in Backing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara

Ghana has officially endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan as the sole realistic and sustainable solution to the Western Sahara dispute within the United Nations framework, joining a growing cohort of Western, African, and Arab countries backing Rabat's position. This shift, confirmed in a joint statement after talks between Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat, marks a significant diplomatic setback for Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front seeking independence for the territory. Ghana's support aligns with recent endorsements from countries like the UK and Kenya, reflecting a broader international trend favoring Morocco's sovereignty claims, especially after the US recognized Moroccan sovereignty in 2020 and France voiced support in 2024. The two countries also agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense, visa policies, agriculture, and economic initiatives, with Moroccan fertilizers expected to aid Ghana's cocoa farming and reduce its food import dependence. Ghana further supports Morocco's efforts to enhance trade access for Sahel countries through Atlantic routes, underlining a strategic partnership aimed at regional stability and development. This diplomatic realignment underscores Ghana's commitment to multilateral solutions via the UN and reflects a notable shift from its earlier recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic in 1979.