His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills has lauded Senegal’s strong march along the path of adding a lot of colour to Africa’s quest for greater democracy.
Expatiating on the smooth transition of power, His Excellency President Atta Mills said, he was happy that Senegal has made a strong case for Africa’s democracy.
The Ghanaian President acknowledges that, Senegal’s smooth transition of power is certainly another plus for Africa’s democratic growth and it cannot be glossed over.
According to him, Africa cannot continue to be remembered for only the wrong reasons; “We must be able to tell our good stories as well; and I am happy that Senegal is helping us tell a good story”; President Atta Mills opined.
“President Abdoulaye Wade must be congratulated for respecting the will of the people of Senegal and handing over smoothly to President Mackey Sall. This is the beauty of democracy, and I am pleased to be witnessing this achievement”; President Atta Mills added.
“It is my hope that President Sall will lead the people of Senegal along a solid path of development and growth. Ghana cannot walk the democratic road alone; we need more hands on deck, hence my joy at what has happened in Senegal”; President Atta Mills said.
The 45-minute impressive investiture ceremony took place at the precincts of the King Fahd Hotel in Darkar, before the current and former Presidents met at the Presidential Palace to finalise the handing-over ceremonies.
Taking his oath of office, the 50-year old Senegal’s new President, Mr. Macky Sall, thanked the people of Senegal for reposing confidence in him, and pledged to build on what he has inherited.
President Sall takes over from President Abdoulaye Wade, as the fourth President of independent Senegal.
Leopold Sedar Senghor and Abdou Diouf, were the first and second Presidents, respectively.
Ghana and Senegal have enjoyed very healthy fraternal relations since the days of President Nkrumah and President Senghor; and President Atta Mills’ presence at the investiture of President Sall, will in no small way, deepen the bonds of friendship between Ghana and Senegal.
Indeed, it is not surprising that President Sall took time off his busy schedule, to have a one-on-one meeting with His Excellency President Atta Mills, to discuss matters of interest to both Ghana and Senegal.
Other Heads of State present at the ceremony included, AU Chairman, President Yayi Boni of Benin, ECOWAS Chairman, President Ouattara of Cote d’Iviore, President Compaore of Burkina Faso, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, President Koroma of Sierra Leone, President Jameh of Gambia, President Faure Gnassingbe of Togo, and President Mbasago of Equatorial Guinea.
In spite of the recent meeting in Cote d’Iviore to deliberate on uneasiness in Mali vis-à-vis the military takeover, the ECOWAS Heads used the opportunity to hold a mini-summit to discuss further, the situation in Mali.