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General News of Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Source: Citi FM

ECOWAS president praises Ghana's commitment to democracy

President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, has praised Ghana’s devotion to the development of democracy and good governance.

He was speaking at the ongoing two day 42nd ordinary session of the Authority of Heads of State and government at the political capital of Cote d’Voire, Yamoussoukro.

He paid glowing tribute to the late President Mills for his commitment towards promoting the principles of democracy and good governance in the sub region. He also admired the conduct of the 2012 elections which he described as free, fair and transparent.

The agenda of the 42nd ordinary session is to look at the situation in Mali and Guinea-Bissau and map out strategies to guarantee peace, unity and freedom in the sub-region.

"Since your last Ordinary Summit in Yamoussoukro, your Authority has been bereaved with the passing of late Professor John Atta Mills, former President of the Republic of Ghana. At the beginning of this Session, I wish to seize this opportunity to pay tribute to that great statesman of our region, devoted to justice and peace, who not only placed all his energy at the service of the socio-economic development of his country, but also demonstrated his commitment to deepening our regional integration process and promoting the principles of democracy and good governance.

"Despite this unfortunate and unexpected turn of events, the country was able to maintain the stability and balance inherent in the running if its institutions. Ghana once again confirmed, through the last Presidential election held on 7 December 2012, the degree of maturity and entrenchment of its democratic culture. Alongside the ECOWAS election observation mission deployed in that country, I particularly witnessed the climate of peace and the conditions of freedom and transparency within which the elections were conducted.

"It is within this context of proud achievement in our region that I congratulate H. E. John Dramani Mahama on his election to the highest office of his country. Excellency the President, on behalf of all ECOWAS Institutions, I would like to assure you of our commitment and determination to pursue, with your country and under your leadership, the efforts towards the stabilization of our region and deepening of our economic integration process."

President of the ECOWAS Commission, H. E. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, at the opening of the 42nd Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government

On his part, President Mahama echoed his government’s resolve in helping realise peace and security in the sub region.