News

Sports

Business

Entertainment

GhanaWeb TV

Africa

Opinions

Country

Veep throws weight behind African Union

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 Source: GNA

Accra, Jan. 20, GNA- Vice President John Mahama, on Wednesday reasserted the commitment of the founding fathers of Ghana, especially the first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, towards a union government for Africa.

He said the country's enthusiasm towards a unified Africa was inspired by the need to overcome the artificial barriers that were impeding the market size of the continent and the harnessing of its potentials.

Mr. Mahama gave the assertion during a meeting with a two-member delegation from the African Union (AU) Commission from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the Osu Castle.

The delegation, which was led by Mr John Shinkaiye, Chief of Staff at the office of Mr Jean Ping, Chairman of the AU Commission, was at the Castle to invite Ghana for a special summit of the Union in Ethiopia, in February.

Mr Mahama said lack of a union government was depriving Africa of open economic zones.

He recalled that, he was part of the grand debate on African Union, during the AU conference in Accra, in July 2008, as member of the Pan African Parliament.

Mr. Shinkaiye said the AU Heads of State Summit in Egypt last year, committed itself to the union government agenda and tasked the commission to make the dream possible. He congratulated Ghana for the successful conduct of the general election, which he said, should be the benchmark worth emulating in other parts of Africa.

Source: GNA