Ghana’s president John Dramani Mahama has stated that his government will not allow its province to be used as a springboard to destabilize Cote d’Ivoire. He noted that, the peace of Cote d’Ivoire is as important as the peace of Ghana, stressing that the two countries have a long historical and cultural links with the peoples of the two countries having the same culture, language which made them one people but for their colonial experience.

‘’Our desire is to see Cote d’Ivoire stable and prosperous, side by side with a prosperous and stable Ghana. We wish to assure you that the territory of Ghana will not be used as a platform to destabilize Ivory Coast,’’ President Mahama said.

Thanking the government and people of Ivory Coast with his ‘’thank you’’ tour of some African countries after touring nine regions in Ghana , for their support and deep show of sympathy during the funeral of former Ghanaian president Professor John Evans Atta Mills, the young president of Ghana assured President Quattara of retaining the relationship he had with his late boss that was based on friendship and mutual respect, and further called for closer collaboration in the interest of the two countries.

After being received by the Ivorian President Alassane Quattara at the Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Abidjan, President Mahama thanked the host president for the warm hospitality extended to him and his entourage during the visit.

As afore mentioned ‘’I am here to personally thank you. Our tradition has it that when a calamity or disaster visit you, and your friends and relatives come to assist you, the next morning you go round and thank them.

We bring greetings and deep sense of appreciation from the government and people of Ghana to you Mr. President, the government and people of Ivory Coast.’’

President Mahama said the visit also afforded the two presidents to discuss bilateral issues. He assured President Quattara that ‘’all agreements that exist between the two states will continue under my presidency.’’

President Mahama also visited the President of Burkina Faso Blaise Campoary, and he is expected to visit Togo,Lome and Nigeria from 7th-8th September respectively.