From: Nathaniel Glover-Meni, GNA Special Correspondent, Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou, March 26, GNA - Vice President John Mahama on Wednesday held discussions on a wide range of trade and political issues with Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore in Ouagadougou. The meeting held at the Burkinabe Presidential Palace touched on issues of mutual interest to the two nations including how to develop a rail link between Kumasi and Ouagadougou to increase the bulk of freight leaving Ghana's ports to her landlocked neighbour.

Vice President Mahama commended the Burkinabe leader for his involvement in bringing about peace in a number of conflict-torn West African nations, including Cote d'Ivoire. He reiterated the commitment of Ghana to work with Burkina Faso in promoting peace building efforts in a restive sub-region. Vice President Mahama also reiterated the desire of Ghana to deepen the cultural, political and trade relations between the two neighbours. President Compaore said Ghana and Burkina Faso must work on accelerating their agriculture policies for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

In particular, he said, the two countries must focus on raising standards in areas that they had comparative advantage such as the shea industry to help radically alter poverty among their people. President Compaore also called for the resumption of the Ghana-Burkina Faso Joint Commission for Cooperation to be used as a vehicle in moving forward a number of projects, including the proposed rail link between Kumasi and Ouagadougou to facilitate trade between the two countries.

Burkina Faso is a land locked country that has in recent years relied heavily on Ghana for its logistic needs and a rail link between the two countries is seen as critical in deepening the trade relations. President Compaore expressed his desire to work with President Mills to complete the West African Gas Pipeline project, which is aimed at transporting gas from Nigeria to some West African countries to boost their energy requirements. The Burkinabe President also discussed with the Vice President the intention of his country to establish a bilingual Engineering University and asked Ghana to support the project. Vice President Mahama also met with a four-man delegation from the West African Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament of which he was chairman. Mr Sawagodo Lassani, a Burkinabe legislator who succeeded Vice President Mahama as the new chair of the caucus, expressed delight about the transparent manner in which Ghana's polls were conducted. He congratulated the Vice President on his achievements and asked him to bring his experiences at the Pan African parliament to bear on his new portfolio.

The Vice President urged the caucus to take its work seriously and help promote sound ideas that would help transform Africa into a land of prosperity. 26 March 09