President John Dramani Mahama on Saturday gave the assurance that Ghana would step up its bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Benin in the areas of energy, maritime and other activities against piracy in their coastlines.

He said in addition to the current supply of electricity to the West African country, Ghana would also start supplying gas to Benin when the Takoradi gas plant begins production.

President Mahama gave this assurance when he called on President Yayi Boni as part of his two-day tour of the Togo, Nigeria and Benin to thank them for their contribution towards the final funeral rites of late President John Evans Atta Mills a month ago.

President Mahama was also there to renew his commitment to some of the bilateral cooperation that had existed between the two countries over the years.

He said although Ghana was currently facing a number of challenges in the energy sector, measures such as the completion of the Bui Hydro-electric project and the establishment of the gas plant in Takoradi were some of the steps government was working on to become self-sufficient and also export to her neighbours.

President Mahama commended the President and people of Benin for their contribution and visit during the funeral of late President Mills.

The two countries also signed a joint permanent cooperation in which Ghana would supply them with energy and collaborate against the rising spate of piracy at the territorial waters of the West African Countries.

They also pledged to lend their support to African union and the economic Community for West African States, towards the restoration of peace and security to Mali that had been embroiled in a political tango some months ago.

Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration who signed for Ghana, said the two countries would hold a joint cooperation from September 25-26, to map up strategies that would strengthen their bilateral relations and the modalities under which Ghana would supply gas to Benin.

He pledged Ghana’s support to work towards the achievement of peace, unity and security in Mali and other sub-regional disturbances.

Mr. Nashiru Baako, Beninois Minister for Foreign Affairs, said Ghana was a country with a lot of political and economic experience and his country would strive hard to emulate her in the succeeding years to chalk similar feats.