Freetown: April 23, 2026 marked the Ministerial Session of the inaugural Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Ghana. The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Francess Piagie Alghali, co-chaired the session with Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa MP. A Technical Session preceded the meeting, running from April 21st to 22nd, 2026.

According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Hon. Ablakwa described the PJCC as a strategic platform aimed at transforming longstanding fraternal ties into concrete partnerships that drive economic growth and improve livelihoods. He emphasized the importance of implementing agreements and memoranda of understanding, alongside effective follow-up to secure benefits for citizens of both nations. Key cooperation areas identified included trade, investment, agriculture, energy, health, defense, security, tourism, and cultural exchanges, which are expected to foster job creation, economic transformation, and shared prosperity. He also recalled past collaborations during health emergencies and natural disasters.

Hon. Deputy Minister Francess Piagie Alghali expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality shown to Sierra Leone's delegation. She reaffirmed her country's commitment to deeper cooperation with Ghana, stating that the PJCC reflects a shared leadership vision aimed at transforming historic relations into a dynamic, mutually beneficial partnership built on solidarity and development cooperation.

The Ministerial Session concluded with the signing of six Memoranda of Understanding and one Agreement covering areas such as Defense and Military Cooperation; Electric Power; Development and Management; Intelligence and Security Cooperation; Cocoa Sector Development Cooperation; Political Consultations; and Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts and Health Cooperation.

The session gathered senior government officials and technical experts from various fields to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and expanding mutual cooperation. Both sides pledged sustained engagement, effective implementation, and continuous monitoring of agreed initiatives. The inaugural session marks a defining moment in Ghana-Sierra Leone relations.