Moments after touching down from Yamoussoukro where he was elected chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) the President John Dramani Mahama said Ghana has been elected to chair ECOWAS for the next one year term as a result of shared interest.

He said he had the honor and privilege as president to accept the responsibility on behalf of the good people of the country because of the common effort in building a good democracy.

President Mahama who was last Friday elected unanimously by colleague heads of state to steer the affairs of the sub region for the next one year at a recent summit in the administrative capital of Cote d'Ivoire, Yamoussoukro.

Supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and government officials spontaneously dashed to the Kotoka International Airport upon hearing the arrival of the president. They danced, cheered amidst singing, dancing and clapping as well as beaming with joy as they embrace the president back home for making Ghana proud.

Addressing the teeming supporters and sympathizers of the NDC after exchanging dignitaries with top government officials at the VIP lounge of the airport the president said ''I dedicate this honor to the people of Ghana, all those who have worked to make Ghana the model of democracy as we see in Africa today.''

''I want to say Ghana has always led the way and again we are being asked to lead the way because the current challenges that face the ECOWAS , is how we can create a common market and integrate the West Africa (W/A) sub region together, as Nkrumah envisioned it.''

According to him, the appointment is to lead the way for a better integration of the W/A continent to allow goods, people and services move freely in the sub region.

''it is going to be a responsibility we have to discharge, but I am confident that with the support of all Ghanaians I will discharge this responsibility with the best of my ability,'' President Mahama stated.

The vice president Paa Kwesi Amissah Arthur, minister of defense Hon. Mark Woyongo, the IGP Mohammed Alhassan,Accra Mayor Alfred Oko Vanderpujie , Greater Accra regional minister and the minister of communications amongst others.