Gbagbo Commends Mills, Two Former Heads Of State

President Gbagbo in a handshake with Former President Rawlings at the Banquet Hall during the luncheon.

The Ivorian President, Mr Laurent Gbagbo, has applauded President John Evans Atta Mills and the two former Presidents, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings and Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, for their show of exemplary leadership which is contributing to the country’s democracy.

“This relationship can hardly manifest in any part of the continent. Please help us with this humility because this is the only way we can nurture democracy on the continent,” he said.

President Gbagbo made the remark in response to a toast proposed by President Mills at a luncheon in his honour at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra yesterday.

In attendance were the Vice-President, Mr John Mahama; former Presidents Rawlings and Kufuor; the Chairman of the Council of State, Prof Kofi Awoonor; government officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional leaders and a cross-section of the public.

Mr Gbagbo said the role played by the two former Heads of State in particular in advancing Ghana’s democratic credentials was good and must be emulated by all, especially leaders in the sub-region.

He expressed great admiration for the people of Ghana and how they worked together to build the country, without due consideration to ethnic or party affiliations, adding, “We need to showcase this to our people back home to see the path you are treading to improve your democratic credentials.”

He expressed gratitude for the role Ghana played when his country was in turmoil, saying, “You have contributed to bring the country this far.”

On the elections in Cote d’Ivoire, President Gbagbo said all was set for the elections next month or early January.

He said the voters register would be displayed next week, as demanded by law, “after which we will conduct ourelections”.

President Mills, proposing the toast, expressed gratitude to President Gbagbo for honouring the invitation at a time when he was hard press for time preparing for the elections.

He pledged Ghana’s preparedness to support the elections in Cote d’Ivoire, saying, “Our interest in Cote d’Ivoire is to work to ensure peaceful and fair elections.”

“We want to ensure that we can let others know that Africa is not synonymous with violence and disturbances,” he said.