Ghana is leading efforts to ensure greater security
Ghana is leading efforts to ensure greater security and stability in the West African sub-region, especially maritime and naval security.
According to President John Dramani Mahama, Ghana will put its newly acquired naval patrol vessels and vessel tracking devices, at the disposal of all countries to prevent cases of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
This was part of the outcomes of a three-nation working visit to Togo, Nigeria and Benin by the president. The visits were to enable President Mahama thank the leaders and their people for the support during the death and funeral of President John Atta Mills.
The four countries used the opportunity to also affirm their commitment to deepen their political, economic and cultural relations. They have also pledged to mobilise resources to implement projects and programmes that will improve the living standards of their people.
In Togo, President John Mahama and the Togolese leader, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé expressed satisfaction at the steps taken so far by their Ministers in charge of Water under the Drinking Water Supply Project.
The project, which was mooted by former President, John Atta Mills will enable Ghana supply Togo with water from the Volta River at Sogakope.
Presidents Mahama and Gnassingbé encouraged their ministers to finalise the relevant documents to the selected financial institution as soon as possible for implementation.
In the field of energy, President Mahama proposed to his Togolese counterpart the joint construction of a hydroelectric dam on the River Oti to enhance the volume of energy available to the two countries.
President Mahama also gave an assurance that he will superintend over a successful, fair and free presidential election in December 2012, indicating that he will in memory of President John Atta Mills ensure peace and national harmony.
The Defence and Security chiefs of the two countries are due to meet in Ghana this week to discuss maritime and naval collaboration with a view to fighting the threat of pirates in our common waters.
During their discussions in Abuja Nigeria, President Mahama and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan discussed extensively, the political situation in the sub-region, especially the conflict in Mali. The two leaders agreed to make every effort to strengthen their cooperation with other heads of state to resolve the conflict.
While in Nigeria, President Mahama met with a team of Ghanaian professionals working and living in Abuja. He informed them of the strides Ghana is making both economically and politically, assuring them of his commitment to further grow Ghana’s economy and maintain peace.
In Benin, John Dramani Mahama and Benin’s Thomas Yayi Boni held discussions on a wide range of issues bordering on bilateral, sub-regional and regional cooperation.
President Mahama assured his host of Ghana’s intention to increase its power supply to Benin upon the completion of the Gas processing plant and the Bui hydroelectric dam.
On his part, President Boni who doubles as the Chairman of the Africa Union used the opportunity to brief President Mahama on the political developments in Africa and the progress made towards a resolution of conflicts within the continent with emphasis on the political situation in Mali and Guinea Bissau.
President Mahama reiterated Ghana’s commitment to peace and security within the continent and assured his counterpart of Ghana’s commitment to continue to play a positive role within the League of Nations.
President Mahama who has since returned home was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, Minister for Women and Children’s Affairs Juliana Azumah- Mensah and Secretary to the President James Bebaako-Mensah.
Source: MyJoy Online
