Accra, Sept. 20, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday appealed to past African leaders to share their political experiences and expertise with sitting governments.

The sharing, he noted, would promote cooperation, unity and pave way for the development of the entire continent.

Vice President Mahama made this appeal when former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Horst Kohler of Germany, called on him at the Castle, Osu.

The former Presidents of South Africa and Germany who are in the country to support former President Kufour to launch the “John A. Kufuor Foundation” were at the Castle to pay a courtesy call on him.

Vice President Mahama said many African countries were still nursing their democracies to mature and therefore needed their support to grow above the current trend of conflicts and disunity in the country.

He commended President Kufuor for initiating such a foundation, which he said the Government would monitor closely and cooperate with it to churn out political cohesion in the country.

The Vice President also commended the former Presidents of South Africa and Germany for their assistance over the years and gave the assurance that the Government would work hard to deepen the relations between Ghana and their various countries.

“South Africa is our second trading partner and Ghana has also benefited from the German foundations of Konrad Adaenaeur Foundation, Frederich Ebert Foundation among others and we shall continue to collaborate with them to deepen our democracy.”

Former President Kufuor explained that the Foundation would focus on leadership, governance and development and called on government and other stakeholders to support the Foundation to achieve its goals.

He said the Foundation would first be launched at the University of Ghana on Wednesday and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology on Thursday September 22.

Former President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa commended former President Kufuor for his immense contribution to the maintenance of peace, unity during his tenure of office and hoped he would continue to lend support to the African countries that were still struggling to democratize.

Former President Horst Kohler of Germany called on African leaders to exploit more opportunities that would enhance partnerships and development.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr Valerie Sawyerr, a Deputy Chief of Staff, Miss Hannah Tetteh, Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Chris Kpodo, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and Dr Omane Boamah, Deputy Minister for Science, Environment and Technology.