Mills receives Canadian Special Envoy on Sierra Leone

Accra (Greater Accra) 29 March 99

Mr David Pratt, Canada's Special High Commissioner for Sierra Leone on Monday commended Ghana for her commitment to peace in that country and pledged his government's continued support to realise that goal. "Canada is appreciative of Ghana's leadership role in peacekeeping in the world over, particularly in ECOMOG," Mr Pratt told Vice-President John Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu. Mr Pratt is leading a three-man government mission to the sub-region to assess the situation and explore how best Canada can help support efforts towards peace. The others are Mr Stephen Moffat, Regional Security and Peacekeeping Division, Department of Foreign Affairs and Mr Jacque Ciete, Dierctor, West and Central Africa, Department of Foreign Affairs. Mr Pratt said Canada is concerned about the security and humanitarian impact of the conflict in Sierra Leone and hinted that the issue will be discussed at the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting to be held later in the year. The Canadian High Comissioner to Ghana, Ms Janet Graham, accompanied the team to the Castle. The Vice-President Mills expressed gratitude to the Canadians for their steady interest in Sierra Leone. He also recalled Canada's continued assistance to Ghana which, he said, has helped to improve the life of the people.