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Ghana rolls out the red carpet
for Sierra Leone Leader
Accra, Nov. 8,
Ghanadot/GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday
rolled out the red carpet for the newly sworn-in leader of
Sierra Leone, President Ernest Bai Koroma, as he arrived in
the country for a two-day official visit.
The visit is his first to Ghana since his election on
September 8, 2007.
President Kufuor was on hand to receive him when the
Nigerian Air Force plane, carrying him and his delegation
touched down at the Kotoka International Airport at exactly
1350 hours.
After the exchange of pleasantries and traditional
presentation of the "Akwaaba" bouquet, the two leaders
mounted the saluting dais.
The military band then struck the national anthems of Ghana
and Sierra Leone and the booming of the 21-gun salute filled
the air.
The visiting leader later inspected a guard of honour formed
by the Ghana Navy amidst melodious rendition of some popular
Ghanaian tunes by the band and a spectacular performance by
a cultural troupe.
The Leaders thereafter drove in a convoy to the Castle, Osu,
the seat of Government, for bilateral talks.
President Kufuor in his welcoming remarks before going into
talks with President Koroma, said he was impressed with the
temperament he had brought to bear on his office.
"Your good conduct within the few days comes ahead of you.
The statesmanship adoring you and the positive manner with
which you have launched yourself must be sustained."
President Kufuor said it was his prayer that the Sierra
Leone leader would try and implement the findings of his
country's Reconciliation Commission to heal the wounds and
soothe the pains and injuries of its ruinous civil war, as
he laid the foundation for rebuilding the nation.
He said he was confident that the West African state would
find itself back with the dignity it deserved within the
sub-Regional grouping, ECOWAS.
He also expressed the hope that the historic relations that
had existed between the two countries would be further
strengthened under his leadership.
President Koroma said he was in the country to confirm the
confidence and re-affirm their relations with Ghana.
He said having just come out of the just recently held
elections, he was aware of the responsibility to stabilize
the peace back home and to strengthen relations within the
ECOWAS.
Another challenge was how to rebuild the infrastructure and
economy torn out by the devastating civil war.
He said there was a lot they could learn from Ghana's
experience.
"We are here to learn from your leadership and the direction
you have shown in the sub-Region to put our development
agenda on a proper perspective."
President Koroma, who expressed his gratefulness to
President Kufuor for the wonderful reception accorded him,
also conveyed his country's gratitude to Ghana for the
support during the difficult days of the war.
He returns home on Friday.
GNA
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