Ghana's Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare recently attempted to address dignitaries in French at the International Arts and Handicrafts Trade Show in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The event, which took place on October 30, 2026, was attended by high-ranking officials, including Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of Burkina Faso. Ofosu-Adjare's French greeting did not go as planned, and she ended up becoming an unlikely source of amusement for the gathering.
A video shared by Diplomatic Times Ghana on Facebook captured the moment when Ofosu-Adjare rose to address the gathering at the podium. Her French greeting visibly tickled both Traoré and several other officials present at the venue. Despite the unexpected reaction, the minister addressed the moment head-on, stating that she had spent two days practicing her French speech ahead of the event.
The International Arts and Handicrafts Trade Show of Ouagadougou, known by its French acronym SIAO, is a continental platform dedicated to celebrating Africa's cultural heritage, traditional crafts, and the entrepreneurial spirit of African artisans. The 10-day event provides exhibitors with an opportunity to reach international buyers and showcase the depth of their creative industries. Ghana has a notable presence at this year's edition, with approximately 200 exhibitors attending to display Ghanaian arts and handicraft products.
Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations with Burkina Faso through a proposed bilateral trade agreement focused on industrial cooperation, cross-border trade, and value addition. Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare highlighted opportunities in handicrafts, agro-processing, shea, cotton, and leather during the opening of the 18th International Arts and Crafts Fair of Ouagadougou (SIAO 2026).
The bilateral trade between Ghana and Burkina Faso exceeded US$1 billion last year, according to Ofosu-Adjare. She emphasized the need for improved border management and trade facilitation to further enhance economic ties between the two countries. As the Guest of Honour, Ghana showcased products from all 16 regions at the event.
The incident involving Ofosu-Adjare's French greeting has garnered significant attention on social media, with many Ghanaians and Africans sharing the video and expressing their amusement. Despite the lighthearted moment, the event has provided a platform for Ghana and Burkina Faso to discuss ways to strengthen their economic ties and promote cultural exchange.
The International Arts and Handicrafts Trade Show of Ouagadougou will continue to provide a platform for African artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and connect with international buyers. The event has also highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and cooperation between African countries, with Ghana and Burkina Faso seeking to deepen their economic and diplomatic ties.
Key points
- Ghana's Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare attempts to speak French at a trade event in Ouagadougou, leaving Burkina Faso leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré and others in stitches.
- Ghana and Burkina Faso are seeking to strengthen trade and investment relations through a proposed bilateral trade agreement.
- The International Arts and Handicrafts Trade Show of Ouagadougou provides a platform for African artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their products and connect with international buyers.
