Ghanaian speaker regrets Morocco's absence from African Union

Morocco's absence from the African Union (AU) had a negative impact on the pan-African joint action, regretted on Wednesday, visiting speaker of the Ghanaian parliament, Ebenezer Begyina Sekyi Hughes.

Morocco withdrew in 1984 from the then OAU, now called African Union, to protest the admission as a member of the Sahrawi republic (SADR), proclaimed by the Algeria-backed Polisario movement which claims the separation of the Moroccan Sahara from the rest of the kingdom.

Morocco's absence from the OAU, of which it was among the major founders, and from the AU has a negative impact on the African joint action, said the Ghanaian speaker at a meeting with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelwahed Radi.

The Ghanaian official vowed that his country will work for a political solution to the Sahara issue that is acceptable by all parties, noted a release of the Moroccan House of Representatives.

The development of economic cooperation was also on the agenda of Begyina Sekyi's visit to Morocco.

The Ghanaian speaker discussed Thursday with Moroccan Agriculture, Rural development and Fisheries Minister, Mohand Laenser the promotion of cooperation in fisheries and agriculture.

He later highlighted with Prime Minister Driss Jettou, the need to mobilize the two countries' private operators as part of partnerships that offer the best opportunities for exchanges.

Jettou and Sekyi also evoked cooperation in cadres training and the promotion of micro-finance activities.

Talks with Moroccan officials also touched on bilateral relations and the situation in Africa.