From: George-Ramsey Benamba, GNA Special Correspondent, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Jan 30, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday gave the assurance that Ghana would continue to serve as a trail blazer in the development and democratization of Africa.

"We as a country led in the fight for freedom and independence of most of the African countries and took the lead in coup d'etats and similarly spearheaded democracy and good governanace in the country." Vice President Mahama made the promise during a bilateral discussion with Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, a former Prime Minister of Finland, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Vice President is in Ethiopia to attend the 14th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit. The former Finland leader was also in the country to solicit the support of Ghana for a permanent seat for Finland at the United Nations Security council.

Vice President Mahama said as a country that had gone through turbulent times, Ghana would take advantage of its democratic credentials and serve as a reference centre in good governance, rule of law and participatory governance in Africa.

He said Ghana had an enviable record of being the masterpiece of democracy.

Vice President Mahama called on African countries engaged in wars and conflicts to emulate Ghana in order to extricate themselves from abject poverty, squalor, illiteracy, hunger and ignorance.

Mr. Ahatisaari commended Ghana for its peace keeping prowess in within and outside the continent.

He said: "it is as a result of your immense contribution to peace keeping that we in Finland have recognised you as a major partner in our strides at gaining a permanent seat at the United Nations." Mr. Ahatisaari commended Ghana for producing eminent personalities such as Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, first President of Ghana and Mr Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, who have contributed to the attainment of freedom and development for the continent.

The former Prime Minister, who is also chairman of Crisis Management Initiative in Finland, appealed to the Vice President Mahama to help conserve Ghana as the citadel of peace, development and prosperity, to serve as a show case for the war-torn African countries. 30 Jan 10