Mills calls on African leaders to respect will of people

Accra, Dec. 30, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday re-emphasised the need for fellow African leaders to respect the will of th= e people by accepting the outcome of national elections.

He said it was wrong for political leaders to impose themselves on their people when it was clear that public verdict was against them, addin= g that African States with poor democracies should learn from Ghana. The President was speaking when Mr Cham Ugala Uriat, out-going Ethiopian Ambassador to Ghana, at the end of a six- year duty tour, paid a courtesy call on him at the Osu Castle.

President Mills said recent political events in the sub-region, particularly Cote d'Ivoire gave cause for worry. He said Ghana's democratic credentials placed an onerous responsibil= ity on the country to encourage others to take the path of democratic governance. President Mills commended the out-going Ambassador for his contributio= n to the improvement of bilateral relations. "The records show that your tenure saw a marked improvement in the relationship between our two nations," the President said. President Mills presented a stool and kente cloth as souvenir to Mr Uriat. In a related development the President swore into office the Guinean Ambassador, Mrs Beatrice Rosa Brobbey.

He reminded the new envoy of the challenges ahead and encouraged her t= o engage in economic diplomacy so as to attract investments for Guinea. The President said he was confident that the new Ambassador would deliver and assured her of his fullest support.

"Your success or failure will be determined by the extent of promoti= ng the relations between the two countries," he said. Mrs Brobbey, thanked the President for the confidence reposed in her and promised to give off her best.