Nana Pays Tribute To Liberian President

President Akufo-Addo has paid glowing tribute to Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the role she had played in that country in particular and the West African sub-region in general.

Noting that she assumed office at a very difficult period in that country's history, President Akufo-Addo applauded Madam Sirleaf's efforts in fostering a spirit of national reconciliation amongst Liberians, and restoring law and order since 2006.

Ghana's leader made these remarks last Friday during a dinner held in his honour by President Johnson Sirleaf, who happens to be Africa's first female head of state, and an investiture ceremony at the commencement of his two-day visit to Liberia.

Eulogy
“Your efforts in this regard were recognised. You won the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, along with two others, for your role in contributing to securing peace in Liberia, promoting economic and social development and also strengthening the position of women,” President Akufo-Addo eulogized.

“Again, during the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Liberia which resulted in the death of thousands, your resolve and that of all Liberians were tested. However, at the end of the day, the people of this resilient nation prevailed under your guidance, and ensured an end to the outbreak of this deadly disease,” he recounted.

President Akufo-Addo further commended his Liberian counterpart – who is serving her last five months in office – for the strong leadership she has also exhibited in promoting the development of an economy still reeling from the aftershocks of Ebola which had compromised the economic gains made by Liberia in recent years  He also recalled, “Last year, your colleague heads of state voted unanimously to elect you as Chairperson of ECOWAS; we are all proud of the work you have done and continue to do in service to God, country and region.”

Ahead of the conduct of October's presidential election in that country, Nana Akufo-Addo applauded Johnson Sirleaf for her efforts at entrenching democracy and the rule of law in the body politic of Liberia.  “That process will be enhanced to the admiration of all in our region and beyond by the quality of the arrangements for October's electoral contest, and by the quality of the democratic transition which Liberia is about to witness,” he said, whiles wishing the government and people of Liberia Godspeed.

Relations
It was the desire of President Akufo-Addo that Ghana and Liberia would continually search for ways to co-operate, irrespective of who is at the helm of affairs in the two countries, stressing that it is important that the two countries forge a new, strong partnership for cooperation for the mutual benefit of their nationals.

He recounted the history of Ghana's bilateral relations with Liberia, dating back to the times when President William V.S. Tubman of Liberia and Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah helped to facilitate the establishment in 1963 of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which has now metamorphosed into the African Union (AU).

President Akufo-Addo also referred to the involvement of Ghana in the consolidation of peace and security in Liberia in the last decade, as well as playing host to several thousands of Liberian refugees who fled the civil war in that country. Through the efforts of Ghana's Volta River Authority (VRA), he indicated that electricity was extended to Monrovia for the first time in 2006 after the war.

It was for this reason he emphasised, “Co-operation in the development of our agriculture, education, science and technology, infrastructure, health, energy and the co-ordination of the exploitation of our mutual natural resources, such as iron ore, diamonds, gold, timber and rubber, would be of immense benefit to our two countries.”  Despite the good relations that exist between the two countries, there are still a number of outstanding matters, in the areas of fisheries, provision of support for technical and vocational education, military co-operation, health and finance, for which President Akufo-Addo assured, “I promise you, they will now be addressed.”

Honours
President Akufo-Addo was decorated with Liberia's highest national award, the Grand Order of the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of Pioneers. This award was for his contribution towards the sustenance of lasting peace in Liberia and helping to set the country on the path to recovery.  The president was also enstooled chief by the paramount chiefs of Monrovia, and given the stool name Kandakai Gbogba, (to wit: (a good man who brings peace) at the ceremony.

Earlier on his arrival in Monrovia, President Akufo-Addo was given the key to the city of Monrovia by the mayor, Clara Doe.

By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent