President Akufo-Addo Praises Liberia’s Johnson Sirleaf
With five months to the holding of Liberia’s next presidential election, signalling the beginning of the end of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s tenure of office, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has paid glowing tribute to the leadership shown by Africa’s first female Head of State.
Having assumed the reins of government in Liberia at a very difficult moment in the country’s history, President Akufo-Addo applauded President Johnson Sirleaf’s efforts at fostering a spirit of national reconciliation amongst Liberians, and restoring law and order, since she took office in 2006.
President Akufo-Addo noted that, “your efforts, in this regard, were recognised. You won the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, along with two others, for your role in contributing to securing peace in Liberia, promoting economic and social development, and also strengthening the position of women.”
He continued, “Again, during the outbreak of the ebola virus in Liberia, which resulted in the death of thousands, your resolve and that of all Liberians were tested. However, at the end of the day, the people of this resilient nation prevailed under your guidance, and ensured an end to the outbreak of this deadly disease.”
To crown it all, the President stated that “last year, your colleague Heads of State voted unanimously to elect you as Chairperson of ECOWAS. We are all proud of the work you have done and continue to do in service to God, country and region.”
The President made this known on Friday, May 27, 2017, at a State Dinner and Investiture ceremony held in his honour by President Johnson Sirleaf, at the commencement of his 2-day visit to Liberia.
President Akufo-Addo commended President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the strong leadership she has also exhibited in promoting the development of an economy still reeling from the aftershocks of ebola, which have compromised the economic gains made by Liberia in recent years.
“However, the World Bank projects that over the medium term, economic growth is expected to increase to 5.0% on average, due to a recovery in mining and improvements in infrastructure, particularly in energy and roads, and higher agricultural productivity. Hopefully, this growth path will endure,” he added.
Ahead of the conduct of October’s presidential election, President Akufo-Addo applauded his Liberian counterpart for the ongoing efforts being made at entrenching democracy and the rule of law in the body politic of Liberia.
“That process will be enhanced, to the admiration of all in our region and beyond, by the quality of the arrangements for October’s electoral contest, and by the quality of the democratic transition which Liberia is about to witness. I wish you and the Liberian people well and Godspeed,” he said.
Source: otecfmghana.com