Veep lauds Guinea-Bissau for choosing a democratic path

Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has commended the government and people of Guinea-Bissau for choosing a democratic path to resolve their conflict- which has brought peace and stability in that country; underscoring the need for the move to be sustained.

He made the statement when he met the newly elected Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau Domingos Simoes Pereira, accompanied by the foreign Minister and Defence Minister, arrived in Ghana for a three-day official visit to thank President John Dramani Mahama for Ghana’s role in helping to set Guinea Bissau on a peaceful path to democratic governance.

Mr. Amissah Arthur said Ghana would continue to play its role as the chair of ECOWAS to ensure that peace prevails in the sub-region.

The Prime Minister of Guinea-Bissau, Mr. Domingos Simoes Pereira, also appreciate President Mahama for the role he played for the financial assistance Guinea-Bissau received from ECOWAS member states as a result of Ghana’s efforts; “it would have been impossible for the country to pay salaries of employees in the public service,” he said.

Mr. Pereira said Guinea-Bissau was currently enjoying peace and stability, adding that the government would continue to co-operate with Ghana and the other ECOWAS members.

As part of the process to build bridges and heal wounds following the instability, he said, the Guinea-Bissau Government was in the process of holding a roundtable meeting in Ghana early next year to build consensus on the way forward for the development.

He appealed to the government of Ghana to lend its support to the process; “We still have a lot of challenges to face and we are looking forward to do it, having the support of ECOWAS.

Mr. Pereira said after witnessing the diplomatic support mobilised by President Mahama before, during and after the country's elections, he’s convinced “having the support of ECOWAS and Ghana will be crucial”.

The Prime Minister was conducted round facilities of the Akosombo Dam where he commended late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, for his vision in building the dam, which he said had become a model for power generation in the world.

Among the government officials who accompanied the Vice-President were the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Antwi Boasiako-Sekyere; Senior Advisor to the President, Alhaji Baba Kamara, the Minister of Education, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; a Minister of State at the Presidency, Mr. Rashid Pelpuo; the Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, Mrs. Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare.