He said if the sub-region is to ensure progress and prosperity for its people, “We must add value to these resources, we must industrialise and we must enhance agricultural productivity”.
He said this when he delivered statement at a State dinner held in his honour by the President of Guinea, Prof. Alpha Conde, on Thursday during his three-day tour of Guinea.
The visit is to build on the existing relations between the two countries, as well as explore further, other areas of co-operation for the mutual benefit of the two.
The President said he was thus excited that the two countries in May 2013 reactivated the Permanent Joint Commission on Co-operation (PJCC).
“Co-operation in the development of our agriculture, education, science and technology, infrastructure, health, energy and culture, and the co-ordination of the exploitation of our mutual natural resources, such as bauxite, iron ore, gold and petroleum, would be of immense benefit to our two countries,” he added.
Against this backdrop, Nana Akufo-Addo proposed that the two countries hold the next session of the PJCC in Accra before the end of the year, adding that “we must intensify the links between Ghanaian and Guinean enterprises, and, thereby, also hasten the process of regional integration”.
With the population of West Africa set to hit 500 million people in 20 years’ time, up from its current population of 350 million, Nana Akufo-Addo said the integration of the ECOWAS community is now.
He explained that the integration of the region will offer “immense opportunities to bring prosperity to our region with hard work, enterprise and creativity.”
This ambitious programme of economic transformation and integration of the ECOWAS countries, the President stressed, must be hinged on the peace and stability of all parts of West Africa.
“I am, thus relieved, and I am sure I speak for all of us here, that the disturbing events of the last few days in our common neighbouring state of Cote d’Ivoire have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion, and that good sense has prevailed and enabled the crisis to abate peacefully,” he said.
Touching on the long standing bilateral relations that exist between Ghana and Guinea, he assured “our two peoples will continue to march side-by-side in solidarity in the search for progress and dignity for the African peoples.”
Nana Akufo-Addo applauded President Conde for the efforts he is making to entrench democracy and the rule of law in the body politic of Guinea, as well to maintain her unity and integrity devoid of narrow partisan, ethnic considerations.
“It is a historic task, but one in which your life-long struggle and sacrifices for Guinean democracy have prepared you adequately to undertake. We wish you well and Godspeed,” he added.
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