Ghana must help Sierra Leone-Kabah

Sierra leonean President Dr Ahmed Tejan Kabah on Thursday emphasised the need for Ghana to help in his country's reconstruction effort to achieve a quicker result than was expected.

He said Ghana could do that by giving training to Sierra Leoneans youth in trade, construction and industry to operationalise the vision he and his Ghanaian counterpart have for the sub-region.

President Kabah made the remarks when a Ghanaian delegation attending the Ghana-Sierra Leone Week which began on October 17 and would end today paid a courtesy call on him at Hill Station, Presidential seat in Freetown.

He said he expected Ghana would be able to help Sierra Leone in trade and industry that when the two would celebrate reciprocal week in 2004 in Ghana his country would have a lot to show as Ghana has done in the trade fair in Freetown.

He side his country has just come from a long war and should not be sidelined by its neighbours adding, We are behind, We cannot afford to walk, we must run.

President Kabah said "We must allow a lot of movement among our people to ensure the promotion of trade in the spirit of ECOWAS, which we must not pay lip service as in the past.

All the same we must allow things to be done in a tangible way to ensure the social aspects of our lives would be improved.

He congratulated officials of the two countries especially their high Commissioners for working together to ensure the success of the Week.

Mr Abubakar Saddique Boniface, Ghana's Deputy Minister of trade and industry and leader of the Ghana's delegation said the fair was a great a success and that he was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response Sierra Leoneans gave to it.

He said Ghana would work hard to ensure the translation of visions expressed in the bilateral co operation between the two countries.

Mrs Theresa Tagoe, Deputy Minister of Works and Housing on behalf of the delegation presented a kente cloth to the President.

Those present included Dr Kudi Sesay, Sierra Leonean Minister of Trade and Mr Joe Aggrey, Ghana's Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports and the two High Commissioners of the two countries, Mr Alie Bangura and Mr Kabral Blay-Amihere.

The delegation paid a similar visit to the Sierra Leonean Vice President Mr Solomon Berewa who also expressed similar sentiment as the President, saying regional co-operation should bring us together to help each other.