Let's Push Forward Continent's Development Agenda - Prez

President Mills being received by President Francois Bozize of the Central African Republic on arrival at the Bangui Airport last Saturday.

President John Evans Atta Mills has reminded his colleague African leaders of the need to join forces and push forward the continent’s development agenda.

During a brief stop-over in Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR) to confer with President Francois Bozize ahead of the African Union (AU) Summit in Uganda, President Mills noted that with the resources available to them, African leaders had no excuse for failing to raise the living standards of their people.

He, however, expressed regret that quite often, there seemed to be too much talk, without the corresponding action, and expressed the hope that this year’s AU Summit would be devoted to real work.

“We have enough resources which Africa can tap to effectively develop,” he stressed.

“Our major problem is how to raise the living standards of the people,” he noted, and reminded his colleagues that “it is our responsibility, as leaders, to overcome that challenge in the interest of the citizenry”.

As his contribution towards helping to overcome that problem, the President urged his colleagues to be continuously informed of the welfare of the people.

“We have to think less of ourselves and more of our people,” he said. While asking his colleague leaders to choose the path of development, he reminded them that “we have been voted into power to improve present conditions and secure a better future for our people”.

According to him, if the leaders come together to pursue development with a purpose, it would give meaning to the promise of Africa being a land of progress.

“I am confident that we shall succeed,” he said, suggesting that African leaders should work more closely in that regard.

Touching on Ghana's relations with the CAR, President Mills, who had inspected a guard of honour at the Bangui International Airport on his arrival, was hopeful that Ghana would soon establish a mission in that country.

For his part, President Bozize thanked President Mills for the visit and commended Ghana for its leadership role in the advancement of the continent.

He said his government valued the CAR’s relations with Ghana and had been following Ghana's progress with keen interest and admiration.

According to him, the CAR was faced with challenges of democracy and good governance but he was glad that with the democratic and governance triumphs in countries like Ghana, it should not be difficult for the CAR to find solutions.