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PUT NATION FIRST, ANNAN URGES IVORIAN
LEADERS
Accra January 25, Ghanadot.com -The immediate past Chief of
the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan on Thursday charged the
leadership of the various factions in the Ivorian crisis to
put their nations first as they strive to bring peace to the
country.
“It is peace that the people demand and that is what they
deserve,” Mr Annan said at the Inaugural Ghana@50 Jubilee
Lectures in Accra in sharp reference to the growing peace
permeating the African continent.
The Jubilee Lectures have been instituted by the Ghanaian
authorities as part of the 50th Anniversary of Ghana’s
Independence.
Even though off the UN seat, the fight for peace and self
emancipation, for which he lived most of his life still
occupied his mind. He intimated that it was gratifying to
know that Africans were gradually and steadily embracing
peace rather than war.
“I am happy that at the out turn of the 21st century, Ghana
and Africa are leading the way to bring about peace in their
respective countries and on the continent itself.
“I am happy that there is now peace in Chad, Congo,
Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda and Somalia and Liberia. The
authorities in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire should also learn
to put their nation first and bring peace to their people.”
The admonition comes at a time when Ivorian President
Laurent Gbagbo has initiated efforts to meet face to face
with Guiuemme Soros, Leader of the New Forces, whose
incursion split the country into two some three years ago.
The Lectures had President John Agyekum Kufuor as the
Special Guest, also in attendance was Vice President Alhaji
Aliu Mahama, members of the Council of State (a council of
elders and eminent Ghanaians who advice the President),
Ministers of States, Speaker of Ghana’s Parliament,
academia, the diplomatic corps, students and the public.
Ghanadot.com, January 25, 2006.
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