Accra, Aug. 27, GNA - Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday urged all key players in the Sierra Leonean peace process to be committed to the cause of reconstruction to enable the West African country regain its rightful place in the sub-region.
He also called on the International Community to help in the reconstruction efforts by the government and people. Vice-President Mills made these points when the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Mr Justice Desmond Luke, called on him at the Castle, Osu, with a special message from President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah to President Jerry John Rawlings.
Prof Mills said the judiciary in that country should play a special role in the reconstruction process. He said the time has come for the governments and peoples of the sub-region to work collectively towards peace in order to move ahead economically as Southern African states are doing.
"We should now strengthen our structures and remove trade barriers in order to move our region ahead." He said it was in the pursuit of these goals that Ghana has played a leading role over the years in the search for a lasting peace in Sierra Leone.
"It is really a matter of dignity for Ghana to assist other sister countries which have the potential but are now in a bit of a trouble," Prof Mills said, adding that he was happy that at long last, there is peace in Sierra Leone. Chief Justice Luke expressed President Kabbah's appreciation for Ghana's unrelenting support for his country at various forums, including those of ECOWAS and the United Nations.
He said Sierra Leone was pursuing plans to establish a mission in Accra at the High Commission level. Welcoming Mr Justice Luke, Mr Joseph Ahwa Laryea, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the people of Ghana and Sierra Leone do not only have blood relations but share common values.
The two countries, being British colonies, share political, legislative and allied institutions and have had co-operation at various levels in the Commonwealth.
Mr Laryea recalled the various agreements and accords that were reached towards ending the conflict in Sierra Leone and was happy that the Lome Accord, brokered by President Gnassingbe Eyadema, crowned it all.
"But at the end of the day, achieving peace and stability in Sierra Leone depends on the people of Sierra Leone themselves," he said, adding that the peace brokers are just facilitators.
