Obasanjo pays a day's private visit to Ghana

Accra, June 2, GNA - Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday arrived in Accra for a day's private visit to Ghana.

He was met on arrival at the gangway of his presidential jet by President John Agyekum Kufuor and had private discussion before President Kufuor escorted his guest to the hotel.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo told newsmen that President Obasanjo, who is also the Chairman of the African Union (AU) was on a private visit to Ghana.

The AU Chairman was on his way from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso where he attended the two-day 7th Ordinary Session of the Conference of the Leaders and Heads of State Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD). Addressing the Conference, President Obasanjo stressed the need for integration on the Continent because there was no alternative to find solutions to the problems facing the Continent.

He said: " if we do not integrate we will sink individually. We need to integrate for Africa to be firm and together ensure peace and security on the Continent."

President Obasanjo called on CEN-SAD to be focused on specific areas that would ensure an effective integration on the environment, management of water resources, increased agricultural production and inter-African trade.

He suggested the establishment of a green-belt with a width of about five metres from the West to the Eastern borders of the Continent for the effective and efficient utilization of the Sahel and Saharan areas.

The AU Chairman said " if there is the political will, Africa could be helped to move from poverty to prosperity not only for Africa but the world."

Ghana was admitted as the 22nd member of CEN-SAD at the Conference.