”Time for West African integration is now”- Prez Akufo-Addo

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has indicated that the time for the integration of west Africa is now.

Speaking at a meeting with the President of Senegal, His Excellency Macky Sall at the Presidential Palace, on Tuesday, 16th May 2017, to discuss possible areas of co-operation between the two countries, president Akufo-Addo stated that Ghana and Senegal should be at the forefront of the process that will convert ECOWAS into a true regional market.

With West Africa’s population set to reach some 500 million people in 20 years time, President Akufo-Addo indicated that there are immense opportunities to bring prosperity to West Africa, with hardwork, enterprise and creativity.

According to president Akufo-Addo, there are immense opportunities to bring prosperity to West Africa with hardwork, enterprise and creativity considering the fact that West Africa’s population is set to reach some 500 million people in 20 years time.

He reiterated his commitment to the ECOWAS project, and stressed the commitment of his government towards strengthening the ECOWAS Community.

Touching on the situation in neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire, President Akufo-Addo maintained that peace and stability in the region are essential to the viability of the ECOWAS market.

“To that extent, all of us in the region are anxious to see the unfortunate events of the last few days in Cote d’Ivoire come to a rapid conclusion so that peace, law and order can be guaranteed in that key member state of ECOWAS. We must all encourage and support the initiatives President Alassane Ouattara is taking to find a satisfactory conclusion to the crisis, to the mutual benefit of all. We pray for God’s guidance for him and all the actors in the Ivorian situation,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo commended President Macky Sall for the strong leadership he has shown, since assuming the reins of office in Senegal, which has led to that country becoming the second fastest growing economy in West Africa, having grown at 6.6% in 2016, behind Côte d’Ivoire, and the fourth fastest in sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: otecfmghana.com