REMARKS OF ECOWAS CHAIR ON GAMBIA, GHANA

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The Chair of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government has made remarks on Saturday on recent developments on Gambia and Ghana while delivering a speech at the inauguration of the new president of Ghana, Akufor Nana Addo.

Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government

EXCERPTS ON GAMBIA

(Mediation efforts continue)

ECOWAS perhaps faces the most difficult situation in The Gambia. After accepting he lost the election President Jammeh …… and questioned the results of the elections.

He has submitted his grievances to the Supreme Court which will start its review process on January 10.

ECOWAS is closely following the process and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is leading the effort as ECOWAS mediator.

We call on the people of Gambia to follow the example of Ghana and put the interest of the nation above all personal interests. ECOWAS stands by the people of Gambia and will exercise every effort to sustain peace and democracy. We stand by the people of The Gambia and want to assure them of our unwavering adherence to the principles of democracy in our entire region.

EXCERPTS ON GHANA

(“Ghana makes us proud”)

She congratulated Ghana for a peaceful election and transfer of power.

“Today we witness a completion of a democratic process of peaceful transfer of power from one administration to another. You Ghanaians make us proud after a hard fought campaign. You have put differences aside and come together as one people to celebrate this victory. We must remember that, this event is a fruit of many years of hard labour.”

“Like Ancient Ghana stood more than thousands years ago modern Ghana is a shining star in Africa today.” “Let the light shine even brighter”

“John as you leave the state house, please remember and cherish the fact that you have many roles to play in the future, in Ghana, in Africa and the world. We all need your talent. I am thankful for the cordial relationship that has developed between our two countries in finding solutions to the problems of our nations and sub-region.