Sirleaf: We thank you Ghana for your valuable assistance

Accra, Feb 19, GNA - Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has at the start of two-day State visit, expressed her country's appreciation to her host for assisting Liberia towards achieving peace and development.

She was particularly grateful for the leading role of Ghana in brokering peace during the Liberian Civil War in the 1990s and providing a haven for Liberian refugees.

Additionally, she was appreciative of Ghana's help to Liberia in providing electricity through the Volta River Authority.

In pre-bilateral talks with President John Evans Atta Mills at the Osu Castle, in Accra, President Sirleaf also thanked Ghana for the many years of friendship and partnership that date back to the days of Ghana's First President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

She said Nkrumah blazed the trail for Africa's emancipation, stressing that Ghana also came to the aid of Liberia in her quest for peace.

"Ghana also came to the aid of Liberia on her road for peace, as well as helping with her agricultural development and the provision of security," "President Sirleaf said.

"I do want you to know that we are here to thank you for what you've done for us; you were able to provide our brothers and sisters refuge. It could only have come from a country that is ready to help us."

She urged the two countries to heighten trade and investment between them, adding that her country was ready to exchange notes and learn from the Mills Administration for what it had achieved over its short period of time in office.

President Mills, in hearty welcome and spirit of conviviality, thanked the Liberian leader for her visit to Ghana.

He said Ghana's bond with Liberia had come a long way and was intensified during the Liberian Conflict.

President Mills invited his guest to feel at home because Ghana was her "second home," as he acknowledged that there were quite a number of Liberians in Ghana as well as Ghanaians in Liberia.

President Mills commended the Liberia President for her efforts to build the Liberian economy, which he said was started with almost nothing, and reiterated his call on leaders to use the resources available to improve the standard of living of their people.

President Mills said leaders must have the will and the determination to transform the vast resources and the potentials available for the benefit of the people.

He also stressed stronger unity and bilateral ties between the nations, especially in the post global financial meltdown to resuscitate the economies of West African countries.

The two leaders are expected to have a luncheon later in the day.

The Liberian President would also later visit the University of Ghana where she would deliver a lecture on development issues in the West African sub-region in the wake of the global financial crisis.

She would have a private dinner; lay a wreath at the Burma Camp in Accra, and take part in the Liberia Business Day at the Accra International Conference Centre.

As part of the visit, there would be experts' meeting by both the delegation accompanying the Liberia President and their Ghanaian counterpart.

President Sirleaf's visit is the second in a year, the first being a stop over last year to congratulate President Mills on his assumption of the reigns of the power when she was travelling for a conference in Qatar.