Lift sanction on Guinea Bissau -ECOWAS
President John Dramani Mahama last Tuesday joined other sub-regional leaders at the opening of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Abuja, Nigeria.
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The two-day summit focuses on the roadmap for sustaining peace and restoring constitutional order to Mali and Guinea Bissau.
Measures to deepen regional integration enhance economic growth and promote trade among ECOWAS member countries will also feature prominently at the summit.
The sub-regional leaders will discuss the removal of bottlenecks to external tariffs and how to restore discussion with the European Union (EU) on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
The issues of building energy and transport infrastructure as well as fighting terrorism, drug and human trafficking are also on the table for discussion by the sub-regional leaders.
Ghana's delegation to the summit include a Special Advisor to the President, Mr Baba Kamara; the Executive Secretary to the President, Dr Raymond Atuguba; the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Hannah Tetteh; the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Mahama Ayariga, and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Eric Opoku.
Opening the summit, the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, Mr Alassane Ouattara, said significant steps had been taken in achieving and laying the foundation for the restoration of constitutional order in Mali and Guinea Bissau.
He also said the two countries were to hold elections this year; Guinea in November and Mali in December.
President Ouattara added that Guinea Bissau had also established a Peace and Reconciliation Commission to facilitate the attainment of peace and reconciliation in that country.
He, therefore, asked the international community to lift sanctions on Guinea Bissau to encourage the peace and democratic efforts in that country.
President Ouattara, who is also the President of Côte d'Ivoire, lauded sub-regional leaders and France for their contribution to fighting insurgents in Mali and supporting efforts to restore constitutional order to that country.
He again lauded the United Nations for transforming the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) into a UN-led mission.
President Ouattara stressed the need for ECOWAS member countries to strengthen regional integration to ensure the free movement of people and goods.
In his remarks, the President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan said a definite resolution of the Malian crisis would tell development partners that the sub-region was capable of fighting terrorists and insurgents.
He asked the international community to support the $25 million fund set up to support the election in Mali.
President Jonathan said the situation in Guinea Bissau was complex and required urgent attention by African leaders and their development partners.
Speaking with journalists, the Minister of Information and Media Relations, Mr Mahama Ayariga, indicated that Ghana would continue to support efforts at fighting terrorism, drug and human trafficking.
Mr Ayariga also affirmed Ghana's commitment to supporting efforts at achieving regional integration, especially on the free movement of people and goods across the borders of member countries.
By Musah Yahaya Jafaru/Ghana