President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says his government would ramp up Ghana’s participation in activities of the West African sub-regional and continental bodies.
He said Ghana would continue to provide the requisite leadership to ensure that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Union (A. U) both achieve their set targets.
The President said that it was to this effect that the country committed at least over 208 troops to join ECOWAS forces to safeguard the democracy of the Gambia after former President Yahya Jammeh declined to step down following his election defeat.
Briefing members of the Diplomatic Corps Wednesday about the state of the country, President Akufo-Addo said the gesture from Ghana “made it possible for peaceful resolution” in the small West African country.
The success stories of ECOWAS and AU could not be complete without weaving into them the varying roles played by Ghana.
First President Kwame Nkrumah continues to receive praises for the instrumental contributions he made toward the formation of the two bodies.
In the area of peace and security of the continent, statistics have it that the country with the population of a little over 26 million is the fourth largest contributor to peacekeeping.
It is the safest haven for West Africans who have been displaced by civil strife or military instability in their countries. The number of refugees in Ghana is growing by the day. There are Liberians, Ivorians, and Chadian refugees in Ghana.
In 2016, former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon lauded Ghana for its leadership role in the fight against the deadly Ebola disease in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone which maimed more than 11,300 of their citizens.
Minutes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared West Africa Ebola-free after what appeared a torturous battle, Mr Moon in a phone conversation praised former President John Mahama and Ghanaians for hosting the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) which coordinated the global response to the deadly disease.
President Akufo-Addo who shares in some of the sub-regional and continental vision of former President Nkrumah said he would bolster Ghana’s activeness in ECOWAS and AU to drive economic development.
“All the friendship and alliances will be maintained,” he said, adding “Our common humanity requires that we form partnerships that will lead to transformation…enhancement of the quality of lives.”
He said his government is determined to show that “we can emulate the success of Asian nations,” by putting an end to economic “handouts” received from donor bodies.
“My government is not going to shy away from taking the critical decision,” he added.
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