ECOWAS president Sirleaf visits Ghana, terrorism top of the agenda

Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on Friday paid a one-day working visit to Ghana. She met with the president John Dramani Mahama with terrorism being a key focus of their meeting along with other high level bilateral, regional and international talks.

Both leaders agreed to set up a mechanism to counter-terrorism which is now a threat to the sub-region and to look at the comparative advantages of the two countries to enhance cooperation especially in the areas of trade, energy and technical capacity building.

Mahama congratulated Sirleaf on her acsension to the presidency of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and promised to support her tenure and ensure it inures to the benefit of the region.

President Mahama further reiterated Ghana’s interest in working with its west African neighbour to address its power production and distribution efforts. The country is currently suffering from a power deficit which has resulted in rationing of power. A situation that is adversely affecting households and businesses in general.

President JDMahama and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia commit to increase bilateral cooperation. pic.twitter.com/wiH711JAoz

— Ghana Presidency (flagstaffghana) July 29, 2016

On her part, Sirleaf thanked Ghana for its support for Liberia over the years by way of contributing peacekeepers during the war but more importantly, hosting Liberian refugees some of who are still living in Ghana.

Both leaders also committed to working to achieve targets set by the ECOWAS president among others, peace and security, post-Ebola reconstruction, accelerating the free movement of people and goods with the aim of making regional integration and the work of the ECOWAS Commission more effective by reform implementation.