Support us to make additional efforts towards ECOWAS's agreement on goods - Côte d'Ivoire to Ghana

Dr. Awanzi addressing the gathering during the 58th Independence Day celebration by Ivorians

A member of ECOWAS, Côte d'Ivoire has pleaded with Ghana to support to make additional efforts to ensure that ECOWAS's agreements on the movement of goods and people become very effective.

This statement was made known by President Alassane Quattara during the commemoration of the country's 58th Independence Day held on August 7, 2018.

After being controlled by the French as a colony since the end of the 1880s, Côte d’Ivoire acquired its independence in August 7, 1960.

Félix Houphouët-Boigny was its First President and remained as such until his death in December 1993. On this day Ivoirians celebrate their independence from France and the country’s first President.

France officially made Côte d’Ivoire a French colony in 1893. France held it for its rich sources of exports like coffee, cocoa, and palm oil.

Plantations were firmly in the hands of the French, and Ivoirians were led into forced labour for survival.

Côte d'Ivoire has instituted August 7 as its Independence Day in recognition of the struggle and sacrifices of its pioneers of their accession to international sovereignty.

Celebrating the Day at Noe, the Sub Prefecture capital town that shares boundary with Ghana at Elubo, the Honourable Member of the area, Dr. Ahui Awanzi who spoke on behalf President Quattara said "Our country intends, by that, to evoke the imperishable memory of the noble fight carried out during the colonial times, by the founding fathers of our nation who paid with their lives so that Côte d'Ivoire lives".

He used the occasion to pay tribute to these valiant liberators who sacrificed for the country to gain political independence from French.

"Is also an opportunity to pay a well-deserved tribute to these valiant liberators who have dignified their presence on all major construction sites of national construction and served the homeland to the ultimate sacrifice. I piously greet the memory of the best known as the anonymous for their decisive contribution to the advent and the preservation of a free Côte d'Ivoire.

He added, "Their gift of self and their constant quest to hoist our emblem up to those of independent states are and will remain forever, a light that will always accompany us. And the nation to which they have given so much, will be eternally grateful to them".

He urged Ivorians to remain united in the face of the challenges and trials of life and added that "after so many years of sacrifice, we have the duty to show ourselves worthy of their heritage".

He revealed that Côte d'Ivoire has a strong relationship with Ghana and promised to maintain this cordial relationship.

"Dear fellow citizens, I told you earlier that our country has excellent relations with the rest of the world, especially with its neighbors. This situation is also observed at the local level where we, representatives of the Ivorian administration in service to Noe have good relations with the Ghanaians authorities in office in Elubo. Likewise, we rejoice that the people of Noe and Elubo have very remarkable fraternal relations", he emphasized.

He used the occasion to ensure Ghanaians that their country would always endeavour to facilitate trade, the free movement of goods and services as well as to promote culture heritage.

"We assure them that the Ivorian administration present at Noe will always endeavour to facilitate trade, the free movement of goods and people as well as the cultural mixing between our populations in accordance with the vision of President Alassane Quattara who is to achieve a better integrated Africa", he said.

He, therefore expressed confidence that the two countries would make immense contributions towards the ECOWAS's agreements on the movement of goods and people were effective.

"Nevertheless, we express the hope that each of us will make additional efforts to ensure that the ECOWAS agreements on the movement of goods and persons are effective", he hoped.

He admitted that travellers who use these two countries' borders suffer a lot challenges and therefore promised to find a lasting solution to the problem.

"Indeed, it comes to me that travellers suffer during the crossing between our two localities various forms of racketeering that do not honour our states", he expressed worries.

He used the occasion to thank Ghanaian delegation for honouring their invitation and joined them to celebrate their Independence Day and promised to partner with Ghana at all times.

"Like our Ghanaian friends, each one of you has, through your mobilization or contribution of various natures, given a particular character to the feast of this day. We are deeply grateful", he shown appreciation.

Dr. Ahui Awanzi, made it known that under the leadership of President Alassane Quattara, Côte d'Ivoire has made many advances in the areas of security, stability and development after the political instability that occurred in 2011 which claimed over 3,000 lives.

"Since 2011, he has been working to restore our nation's luster yesteryear with the goal of making it an emerging country by 2020 and to re-write our shared history of our commitment to peace, stability, social harmony and economic recovery. Our country has returned to the positive signs of security that have earned it a model of success with the United Nations in terms of political transition and post-crises transformation", he emphasized.

According to him, "Significant efforts have been made in terms with of social cohesion and recognition so that 95% of Ivorians who had left the country during the crisis have returned and found their families and homes. Ivorians, regardless of their ethnicity, religion or region, live together in perfect symbols and peace".

Speaking on behalf of Ghanaian delegation, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Jomoro Municipality of Western Region, Mr. Ernest Kofie thanked Côte d'Ivoire for visiting them to honour their 58th Independence Day celebration.

He ensured the Côte d'Ivoire country on behalf of Ghana's President, President Akufo-Addo that Ghana would be working hard to make free movement of goods and services very easy for the countries.

He called on them to invest massively in Ghana's economy.

He used the occasion to commend the Ivorian government to smoke peace pipe with Ghana over the maritime dispute concerning the West Cape Three Points broke down.

In September 2014, Ghana tugged Cote d’Ivoire to the Special Chamber of the ITLOS after negotiations over a maritime dispute concerning the West Cape Three Points broke down.

In its initial ruling in 2015, the Chamber placed a halt on new projects, compelling Tullow Oil to put on hold operations including new drilling in the disputed area.

However, on September 23, 2017 the Chamber ruled in favour of Ghana in a unanimous decision, stating that there has not been any violation, on the part of Ghana, of Côte d’Ivoire’s maritime boundary.

He also assured the country that its members living in Ghana currently as a result of the 2011 political instability that plunged the country and let some of their members to seek refuge in Ghana would be protected.

He commended them for living in peace after the instability and revealed that the country is progressing rapidly.

He used the celebration to advise Ghanaians living in the country to be law-abiding people and live peace with them.

The Jomoro MCE was accompanied by some chiefs of Elubo, Heads of Custom, Ghana Immigration Service, Health Directorate, Ghana Fire Service, Police, Executive Members of the ruling NPP government, the media among others.

Source: Daniel Kaku

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