Ouagadougou: At the initiative of the Sissili Provincial Transhumance Committee (COPT), border stakeholders from Burkina Faso and Ghana convened on July 14, 2026, in Lo to consolidate the peaceful management of transhumance and enhance social cohesion between the two countries. The meeting, led by the High Commissioner of the Sissili Province, Twind Isaac Sia, aimed to further develop the collaboration initiated in previous discussions.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the meeting saw the participation of representatives from the Ghanaian districts of Tumu, Lambusei, and Gwollu, including the Sissala East area, alongside delegates from the Burkinabe communes of Lo, Bieha, and Boura in the Sissili region of Nando. Participants also paid a courtesy visit to His Majesty Lio-Pio Dan-Zw¨, Chief of the Lo canton, seeking his blessings for their collaborative efforts.
The initiative, supported by the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), follows a foundational meeting held in Tumu, Ghana, in December 2025. High Commissioner Twind Isaac Sia emphasized the necessity of this consultation to address the practical challenges faced by transhumant herders. The province serves as a crucial transit zone for herders moving into Ghana for grazing purposes.
Comrade Sia expressed satisfaction with the progress made through bilateral collaboration. He highlighted the discussions on evaluating the implementation of recommendations from the previous Tumu meeting, noting advancements in facilitating pastoralists' access and residence in Ghana and efforts to strengthen social cohesion and manage conflicts related to transhumance activities.
The Ghanaian delegation, led by Mayor Bening Adamu Yakubu of Tumu, echoed this sentiment. Mayor Yakubu appreciated the collaborative environment and the benefits to local communities, emphasizing the exchange of best practices to improve the lives of border communities and expressing satisfaction with the progress achieved since the last meeting.
Local authorities are keen to sustain these collaborations, relying on state structures and development partners for continued support. High Commissioner Sia highlighted existing memoranda of understanding between Burkina Faso and Ghana as frameworks for ongoing consultation. He advocated for increased financial autonomy and resource mobilization to ensure the regularity of future meetings and the effective implementation of recommendations.