Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has returned to Liberia following a two-day visit to Accra, Ghana, where he engaged in high-level discussions with Ghanaian leaders and attended the wedding of a longstanding friend’s daughter.
The visit, announced in an Executive Mansion press release, emphasized both regional diplomacy and the personal ties that underpin strong bilateral relationships.
Diplomatic Engagements
The Executive Mansion outlined the key objectives of the visit in a statement issued on December 28, 2024. It described the trip as an opportunity for President Boakai to “hold consultations with his colleagues, the outgoing as well as the incoming Presidents of Ghana, Excellencies Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and John Dramani Mahama.”
On December 29, President Boakai met with President Akufo-Addo at Jubilee House in Accra. According to the Executive Mansion, the meeting focused on “critical issues concerning subregional security and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between Liberia and Ghana.” The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fostering peace, stability, and economic growth within the West African subregion.
President Boakai praised President Akufo-Addo’s leadership and congratulated him on the successful conclusion of his term, noting Ghana’s exemplary democratic governance. The Liberian leader also expressed appreciation for Ghana’s longstanding support for Liberia, emphasizing the importance of mutual cooperation in addressing regional challenges.
The following day, December 30, President Boakai held discussions with President-elect Mahama, whom he congratulated on his electoral victory. The Executive Mansion described the meeting as an opportunity to “reaffirm Liberia’s commitment to fostering strong bilateral relations with Ghana.” President Boakai highlighted Liberia’s readiness to collaborate with the incoming administration on shared priorities, including regional security, trade, and climate resilience.
A Personal Engagement Draws Attention
The announcement that President Boakai would also attend a wedding ceremony during his visit sparked public discussion. In its December 28 release, the Executive Mansion stated, “During his visit, the President will honor an invitation to attend the wedding ceremony of the Daughter of a longstanding friend of his.”
Critics suggested that the wedding might have been the trip’s primary motivation rather than the consultations with Ghanaian leaders. However, the Executive Mansion emphasized the dual nature of the visit, underscoring its diplomatic significance.
President Boakai returned to Monrovia on December 31, following what the Executive Mansion described as a successful visit. The statement reiterated the importance of the trip in “underscoring the strong bond of friendship and cooperation between Liberia and Ghana and reaffirming the President’s commitment to fostering regional solidarity and collaboration.”
Joseph Daniels reports for OK FM Liberia as Executive Mansion Correspondent. With a vested interest in making the voices of people from different walks of life heard, he has covered investigative stories relating to education, health, the environment, corruption, and violence against women and girls, among others. He graduated from the United Methodist University with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Mass Communications in 2020. Joseph is also a fellow at New Narratives, a non-profit organization helping media deliver independent, truthful information to its people so they can make informed decisions.
