General News of Monday, 20 May 2013

Source: GNA

Ghana is committed to ensure peace in Africa - President

President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday reiterated Ghana’s commitment and willingness towards ensuring peace and unity in the West African Sub-region and the entire continent.

He said Ghana would also remain loyal to the protocols, political and the socio- economic blocs within the continent.

Mr Mahama Ayariga, Minister of Information and Media Relations, made this known during a media briefing at the Jubilee Lounge of the Kotoka international Airport in Accra, after a closed door meeting with William Samoei Ruta, Deputy President of Kenya, who is on a two-day visit to Ghana.

He said other discussions bothered on the situation in Somalia, which Kenya is seeking the support of other African countries to consider in the forthcoming African Union (AU) Summit slated for next week in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Information and Media Relations Minister said President Mahama had indicated his readiness to support all African development issues as he had for some time, become an emerging critical voice for the downtrodden in the continent.

He said the former President Jerry John Rawlings, AU Special Representative to Somalia, is ready to deal with the Somalia problem, and the government will, therefore, give all the necessary support that would provide fertile grounds for peace, unity and effective recovery in the East African country.

Deputy President Ruto said, his country is leading the crusade for lasting peace in Somalia, on account of being a neighbouring State.

He expressed the hope that peace in Kenya will subsequently open up the region.

Deputy President Ruto called for the institution of intra-African trade as that would engage African countries in frequent interactions to facilitate trade partnerships.