Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has expressed confidence in the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government to solve the challenges confronting the country.

According to Mr Blair, although the challenges are enormous, he would assist the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to fulfil its change promise to Ghanaians.

Mr Blair made these remarks after having a closed-door meeting with Nana Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House on Tuesday, 28 March.

He used the opportunity to congratulate Mr Akufo-Addo for his electoral victory in the 2016 polls and expressed confidence in him to address the challenges facing the country.

Mr Blair, addressing the media, told Nana Akufo-Addo: “It’s a pleasure to be back in Ghana. I’m delighted to come back with you as President of Ghana. I congratulate you not just on your election but for your vision for Ghana. I think this is a very important moment for the country. You come at a time of great expectation, you have assumed this great responsibility of office and as is very apparent when anyone spends time with you, they realise that they are with someone who has the interest of the country in his heart and the right spirit with which to approach the challenges.”

According to Mr Blair, if Ghana succeeds, it will not only be good for Africa but the rest of the world.

To that end, he said he would assist the government to achieve its goals.

“I know the challenges are formidable and what we were discussing is trying to use my experience in my time in office to do what I can to help countries in their process of change for development. Our initiative is in eight different countries in Africa. Today, we just focus on helping countries to deliver their priorities to their people. We do it in a nonpartisan, political way. We do it because if the countries can develop and their people prosper, I think this is not just good for Ghana but good for the region, good for Africa, and good for the world,” he noted.

“I’m actually delighted to come here at this moment in time. When you first come into office it is a moment of huge opportunity. You are always aware of the weight of responsibility that sits on your shoulders and one thing that is absolutely clear about you and your administration is that you are determined to do your very best for the country and for its people and you are fully aware of both the responsibility and the opportunity.”

Mr Akufo-Addo thanked Mr Blair for his visit and the confidence he reposed in him in tackling the challenges facing the country.