Mr Mark Owen Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, has called for unremitting cordial relations between Ghana, Togo and other neighbouring countries for sustainable development.

He noted that there was the need for West African countries to create conducive environment to facilitate the speedy development of the Sub- region.

The Minister made the call at the weekend in a solidarity message to the people of Dapaongo in Savannah Central-Togo, who were marking the 52nd anniversary of the Republic of Togo.

Mr Woyongo said Ghana and Togo had enjoyed the highest level of co-operation and understanding over the years, adding that, whatever happened in any of the neighbouring countries affected the other countries directly or indirectly.

He therefore called for maximum co-operation and peace between the two countries, indicating that no meaningful and sustainable development could take place in an economy without peace.

“This can be justified by the fact that where there are turbulent situations, people cannot conveniently go about their normal business. I therefore call on all to be agents of peace in our respective communities especially in the sub-region,” he stressed.

Mr Woyongo noted that, the proliferation of small arms was causing serious security concerns in the sub-region as a result of recent developments in North-Africa and Cote d’Ivoire.

He therefore appealed for a concerted effort by both countries to co-operate in nipping in the bud the increased number of small arms in the sub region.

Haj Mossyamba Ali Seydou, Governor of the Savannah Region of Togo (Préfer de Tone), said Sylvanus Olympio, the First president of Togo led the country to attain independence on April 27 1960, adding that there had been sustained peace and stability in the country ever since.

He called for the continuation of the tripartite meetings between neighbouring communities to strengthen the tide that binds them.

The Governor of the South East Province of Burkina Faso, Madam Tchombiano Maimouna in a solidarity message called on the people of Togo to see their independence as a milestone of economic development.**