Mills kicks against coup d'tat in Africa

Tripoli (Libya), Nov. 29, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Monday reiterated the collective sovereignty of the people in modern democracies and called for the respect for the will of the people in the governance process.

He indicated that the growth of democracy on the Continent made unconstitutional changes a thing of the past, and stressed the need for stakeholders to allow the laid down constitutional provisions to govern the affairs of the states.

President Mills made the call during bilateral discussions with Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Union Council, on the sidelines of the third African-EU Summit, underway in the Libyan capital, Tripoli. The two day summit on theme: "Investment, Economic Growth and Job Creation," is attracting 80 countries from the African and European continents will discuss a wide range of issues including governance, migration, agriculture, energy and infrastructure and the Millennium Development Goals.

President Mills observed that the growth of democratic governance in Africa was on course and under no way should the will and mandate of the people be usurped to thwart the course of democracy. He consequently asked the parties contesting the Ivorian presidential election which had gone into a run-off to respect the will of the people and to maintain peace in their country.

President Mills commended Togo and other nations in West Africa for holding on to democracy, adding that the continent was showing a fair commitment to democracy.

He assured the European Union that unconstitutional regimes was a thing of the past in Ghana, and urged the Union to take advantage of the stable political environment to increase investment and partnership to the mutual benefits of their people.

Describing the EU as reliable partner, President Mills expressed appreciation to the Union for its development assistance to Africa, and stressed an effective collaboration for the development of infrastructure in the areas of railways, roads, water, energy and agricultural sectors. On the constitutional reforms back at home, President Mills said the need had arisen to make amendments to facilitate the growth of democracy. He said the constitution had not made provision for what the State should do if for example a Vice President decided to resign, while there was no ceiling on the number of judges appointed to the Supreme Court. President Mills said the constitutional provision on the appointment of majority of Ministers from Parliament had not effectively helped the governance process.

Mr Rompuy commended Ghana on her democratic process, and said the Union would continue to collaborate with progressive governments to improve upon the lives of the people. President Mills also held discussions with Togolese leader Faure Gnyassingbe, President Yahya Boni of Benin, Ali Bongo of Congo and Mbassogo of Equatorial Guinea.