President Sirleaf departs

Accra, Feb. 20, GNA - The Liberian President Johnson Ellen Sirleaf, left Accra this afternoon after a two-day state visit to Ghana, from February 19th to 20th.

She was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Liberian Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Industry, National Defence, Agriculture, the Chairman of the National Investment Commission and the Liberian Ambassador to Ghana.

A joint communiqué on the visit of President Sirleaf was signed by Ghana's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni the Liberian Minister for Foreign Affairs Olubanke King-Akerele.

Reading out the 19 point communiqué to journalists at the Kotoka International Airport before the departure of President Sirleaf, Alhaji Mumuni said the visit offered President John Evans Atta Mills and President Sirleaf the opportunity to build upon the long historical ties between their countries, review bilateral relations and consider ways of further strengthening these relationships.

Alhaji Mumuni said President Ellen Johnson recalled with gratitude, the role played by Ghana in the resolution of the conflict that befell Liberia some years ago, as well as the warm welcome given to Liberians who sought refuge in Ghana during the conflict.

He said the Liberian President commended Ghana's continued support for the post-conflict reconstruction process in her country.

Alhaji Mumuni said the two leaders and their respective delegations engaged in discussions which examined potential areas of cooperation between Ghana and Liberia.

Alhaji Mumuni said the two Presidents agreed that cooperation in the areas of trade, industry, investment, agriculture and security could be further deepened.

He said in consequently, President Sirleaf and President Mills directed the Ministers of foreign Affairs of the two countries to take measures to reactivate the Ghana-Liberia Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation, and to convene the next session not later than the end of July 2010.

Alhaji Mumuni said the two Presidents appreciated the holding of the Ghana-Liberia Investment and Trade Forum during the State visit under the theme, "Investment Attraction and Job Creation for Economic Empowerment," and urged the business communities in both countries to promote meaningful investment and private sector participation in the region's economic development.

The two Presidents discussed political and socio-economic developments in West Africa, particularly the global economic and financial crisis, he said.

Alhaji Mumuni said the two Presidents emphasized the need for countries in the West Africa sub-region to forge stronger linkages by promoting more vigorous and vibrant inter-state trade and economic activities, and to further advance regional integration, trade and investment in the spirit of Economic of West African States (ECOWAS) treaties and protocols.

He mentioned that the two leaders acknowledged the need to entrench democracy, good governance, the rule of law and the respect for human rights.

Alhaji Mumuni said with respect to the political situation in Guinea, the two leaders called on all stakeholders to ensure the implementation of the Oagadougou Agreement, signed on January 15th, 2010, and they stressed on the importance of free and fair elections, leading to a peaceful transition and the return to constitutional rule in that country.

Alhaji Mumuni said that President Mills and President Sirleaf recognized the role of the International Contact Group on Guinea, and commended President Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso for persevering in his mediation efforts in that country.

He said that President Mills commended President Sirleaf for her mediatory role in Niger, adding that the two Presidents expressed grave concern at the latest developments in that country and reaffirmed the principled positions taken by the ECOWAS and the African Union.

He said the two Presidents welcomed the outcome of the 37th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, which took place in Abuja, Nigeria, on 16th February, this year.

Alhaji Mumuni said that the two Presidents reiterated their appreciation and commendation for the sustained role of ECOWAS under the dedicated leadership of the its outgoing President, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas in the search for and development of peace and security and socio-economic development in the West African sub-region.

Alhaji Mumuni said the two leaders restated their commitment to harnessing their energies for the effective implementation of agreed programmes and projects in order to deepen the integration process of ECOWAS.

On the forthcoming elections in Togo, Alhaji Mumuni said President Mills and President Sirleaf appealed to all stakeholders to take measures to ensure transparent and credible elections.

The two Presidents expressed concern over the recent dissolution of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Cote d'Ivoire, resulting in the delay in elections, Alhaji Mumuni said.

He said the two leaders called on the facilitator, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, to continue with his mediation role, in order to quickly resolve the lingering issues, including finalizing the voters register and to fix a firm date for elections in Cote d' Ivoire.

Alhaji Mumuni said the two Presidents reviewed the international financial crisis, its effects on developing countries and requested developed economies to fulfil their pledges to developing countries, particularly post-conflict countries, to enable them to deal with the effects of the crisis.

During the visit, President Sirleaf delivered a lecture at the University of Ghana, Legon, on the topic: "Reconstructing a Nation: The Liberian Experience," and laid a wreath at the Peace Keeper's Memorial, Alhaji Mumuni said.

He said at the end of the visit, President Sirleaf expressed her gratitude to President Mills, the Government and people of Ghana, for the warm and friendly welcome accorded her and her delegation.

President Sirleaf extended an invitation to President Mills to visit Liberia, which was accepted with appreciation by President Mills, said Ghana's Foreign Minister.

At the Kotoka International airport to see off President Sirleaf were President Mills, Ministers of state, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Government Officials, and senior personnel of security agencies.