Akufo-Addo congratulates new ECOWAS chair Johnson Sirleaf

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo has congratulated the new chair of ECOWAS Johnson Sirleaf.

He said he hopes as the first woman to occupy that position, she will live up to expectation to achieve the 'vision 2020'.

Below is the full statement:

This is to congratulate President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia, on her election as Chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the next 12 months.

As she is the first woman to occupy this position, the challenge of her election is obvious. I have no doubt that, just as she has acquitted herself creditably in her leadership of Liberia, she will discharge this responsibility effectively.

With her set objective being the realization of “Vision 2020”, which envisions a secure and socially cohesive West Africa, I urge her to use the opportunity to hasten the process of democratic consolidation and West African integration. This will impact positively on the lives of the 350 million people who live in West Africa, as it will, amongst others, allow for the free movement of people, goods and services across borders, thereby assisting in the transformation of West Africa’s economies, creating jobs for its peoples, and providing decent lives for its populations in conditions of freedom and respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Congratulations to her once again, and best wishes and God’s blessings for her success in this new role.

……signed……

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

2016 NPP Presidential Candidate, Ghana