A two-day meeting between Upper West Region and South West Region of Burkina Faso has ended at Gaoua in the neighbouring country, with the aim of identifying areas of co-operation to accelerate the integration of the two regions.
The meeting focussed on the poverty levels of the two regions and the adoption of best practices to accelerate socio-economic growth.
A 12-member delegation from the Upper West Region led by Mr Cezar Kale, Deputy Regional Minister and some departmental heads met with the regional authorities of the South-West Region, headed by Governor Pascal Sawadogo.
Briefing the media about the meeting in Wa on Wednesday, Mr Bangni Simon Wumpimi, an Assistant Director at the Regional Co-ordinating Council mentioned health, agriculture, security, education, environment, culture and tourism as well as women empowerment as areas for co-operation.
He said the forum was mindful of the international protocols and treaties governing relations of the two countries and that the areas identified would be captured by the Ghana-Burkina Faso Permanent Commission for
Co-operation.
On health, the two regions agreed to institutionalise a framework for information sharing on the eradication of diseases, investigate reports about communicable diseases and treatment.
The two sides agreed to establish a common market and ensure that livestock dealers acquire lawful documents for the movement of animals to help address the incidence of cattle rustling.
The meeting planned to organise periodic vaccination campaigns against diseases such as Bovine per-pneumonia and ensure cross border epidemiological monitoring.
The Upper West Region decided to adopt the food pellets technology practiced in Burkina to increase animal feeding.
The two regions saw eye to eye to stay 200 metres away from the Black Volta River and other common water resources for dry season food production, while fishing activities are standardised.
The partnership would ensure proper layouts and management of corridors of cross -border migration of game and wildlife and joint monitoring of shared conservation zones to sustain and improve the environment.
The meeting agreed to participate in festivals, organise exchange programmes for journalists and take steps to resolve interference of Radio Gaoua in Burkina Faso and Radio Freedom at Nandom.
The Upper West Region also welcomed French Teachers from Burkina Faso to offer tuition at second cycle schools and the establishment of exchange programmes in language proficiency.
On security, the regions reached a consensus to share information on matters of crime and ensure joint patrols to clamp down on armed robbery as well as cattle rustling and drug trafficking.
The delegates expressed the need for bordering districts in the two countries to establish twin-community relationships and sign memoranda of friendship and understanding to formalise their relations.