Liberian Legislative Assembly seeks support from Ghana's Parliament

The National Transitional Legislative Assembly (NTLA) of the Republic of Liberia, on Thursday expressed a "desire and willingness" to foster direct bilateral Parliamentary contacts with Ghana's Legislative Assembly.

The Liberian Parliamentarians also expressed willingness to exchange visits with their counterparts in Ghana.

This was contained in a letter signed by the Speaker of the NTLA, George S. Dweh and addressed to the Speaker Mr. Peter Ala Adjetey and read to the House.

The letter said: "NTLA is committed to promoting parliamentary diplomacy and co-operation under the auspices of the ECOWAS Parliament, the African Parliament, the African Caribbean Pacific-European Union Parliamentary Conference and the Inter-Parliamentary Union"

"Through these Parliamentary initiatives, the "NTLA can assist to mobilise the much needed resources to contribute towards the enormous task of the post-war reconstruction of the NTLA, in particular, and the Liberian nation in general."

"The Primary object of this letter of communications is to convey the infinite gratitude and profound appreciation of the honourable members of the NTLA to your good self, the honourable members of parliament, the government and people of Ghana for the invaluable role played in hosting the Liberia Peace talks, which culminated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement," the letter said.

The Liberia Speaker paid tribute to Ghana for the diplomatic and peacekeeping efforts it has continued to expend on the Liberian crisis for a period of 14 years.

He said no stone would be left unturned in working with the Executive Branch, warring groups, political parties and civil society as well as international partners in ensuring the success of the Liberian Peace Process.

In a related development, the Bishops of the Catholic Church have commended Members of Parliament for efforts made at "consolidating democratic governance and the rule of law in our land."

A letter addressed to the Speaker and signed by Cardinal Peter Turkson, Archbishop of Cape Coast and President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference, said: "We pray that there will be greater collaboration and consensus building among Parliamentarians to ensure smooth running of parliamentary business for the greater good of the country."

It said "on the occasion of our Annual Plenary Assembly taking place in Obuasi in Ashanti, we the Bishops of the Catholic Church send Your Excellency the Speaker and the Honourable Members of Parliament, our warm felicitations."