His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has said he is happy that the Catholic Bishops of West Africa chose Ghana as the country to host the second plenary assembly.

He said Ghana is characterized by peace and harmony across all sectors and that he feels very excited of the gathering of Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops from West Africa in Ghana adding that the occasion is a good avenue to market Ghana to Africa and the rest of the world.

His Excellency John Dramani Mahama said this in a speech read on his behalf by Mr. John Martey Newman former chief of staff at the opening ceremony of the 2nd plenary assembly of the Regional Episcopal Conference of west Africa (RECOWA-CERAO) at the M plaza hotel in Accra on Tuesday.

“I am highly delighted at this massive congregation of princes of the church. We are proud and happy that you are in Ghana and that you chose Ghana as the venue of this important meeting. I need not repeat that our country is a peaceful and hospitable country. I want to market my country and I think I should. In our country Ghana, religious tolerance is our hallmark and hospitality indeed is our way of life. It is even enshrined in our constitution,” the president said.

He assured the church leaders that his government and all governments have collaborated and will continue to collaborate with all religious bodies to improve the lives of the masses.

The president revealed, "My Government and all previous governments have enjoyed good working relationships with all religious groups and have collaborated with them in education, in health and social development among others for the benefit of our people."

A RECOWA-CERAO plenary assembly brings together all cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops of the Catholic Church in West Africa to deliberate on matters relevant to both the Church and the West African sub region.

The Conference is expected to end with a communiqué later in the week at a press briefing.