Ghana will spearhead integration of Africa – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana would spearhead the integration of the African continent by ensuring the removal of trade barriers within the continent.

Integration of the African continent, he said, would also be made possible if intra African trade is promoted and a common currency is harmonised among countries in the continent.

President Mahama said this when he interacted with members of the Diplomatic Corps at the Peduase Lodge in the Eastern Region. He also announced that Ghana would improve on her neighbourliness programme by strengthening her relations with other countries.

The programme was also attended by Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah -Arthur and his spouse, Mrs Matilda Amissah- Arthur, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, members of the Council of State and development partners in the country.

On an annual basis, the President of the Republic meets members of the Diplomatic Corps to solidarize with them and share ideas on the way forward on their diplomatic relations.

President Mahama said Ghana would also play a meaningful role in maintaining peace and order by providing all the necessary support that would help in the mediation and quelling of conflicts on the continent.

"Ghana is also committed to supporting all the activities of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States, among other key international organisations," President Mahama added.

He announced that the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Information and Media Relations would soon organise a meeting with various diplomatic missions in the country to deepen relations.

He said Ghana would this year post 27 new Heads of Missions to other countries, and gave the assurance that government would continue to work closely with various missions.

President Mahama appealed to various missions that engage the services of Ghanaians, to endeavour to constantly pay their social security deductions to enable them to live decent lives after retirement.

Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Madam Pavilin Tendai Musoka, called for the strengthening of bilateral and diplomatic relations between Ghana and their various countries to enhance mutual benefits.

She said Africa had in the few years made strides in raising the image of women, particularly the assumption of office of Madam Sirleaf Johnson, President of Liberia and Mrs Joyce Banda, President of Malawi, and called for more support for women to achieve their development goals.

Ms. Musoka who is also the Zimbabwe Ambassador in Ghana called for greater integration among countries that would subsequently promote intra- African trade among African countries in the coming years.

She called for the urgent need to develop policies and strategies that would uplift the African continent in her pursuit for industrialization and general development.

The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps commended Ghana for her leadership in achieving some Millennium Development Goals, stakeholders meetings, and her prowess in world soccer.