Ghana Will Defend Democracy And Constitutional Rule – Akufo-Addo Tells UN
The president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated Ghana’s resolve to continue to defend democracy and constitutional rule and uphold human rights in the country, the West African region, and in Africa at large.
He made this commitment when he addressed global leaders at the 76th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Wednesday, September 22 in New York.
To attain this, he said, Ghana will continue to work to strengthen the institutions that support democracy in the country and in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region.
“We shall continue to support the United Nations and other international organisations to help remind us that, indeed, no man is an island, entire of itself,” he added.
He remarked that recent events across the ECOWAS sub-region and around the world were a testament that not everybody has accepted democracy as the preferred mode of governance.
His comments come at the back of the recent turn of events, especially in the ECOWAS subregion, where two countries (Mali and Guinea) have toppled their governments through the bullet (coup).
“In the last twenty-four months, we have witnessed assaults on democracy around the world, sometimes in developed countries where we had assumed that a consensus on the democratic form of governance had been established,” President Akufo-Addo voiced.
He then stated that “now more than ever, we must defend democracy, constitutional rule and human rights in the world,” and pledged Ghana’s resolve to ensure that the country remains peaceful and democratic while contributing to global democratic governance.
Regarding the coup in Mali and Guinea, he told the Assembly that ECOWAS has given Guinea six months to do so, and requested the immediate release of President Alpha Conde.
“On my visit to Conakry last Friday, the military leaders indicated their willingness to see to the imminent release of President Conde, and it is our hope that they will keep to their word.
The Authority has also made it clear to the military government in Bamako, the capital of Mali, that it is not prepared to negotiate an extension to the February deadline for the holding of democratic elections, as the essential steps to be taken can, with political will, be effected within the ECOWAS-sanctioned timetable,” the president said.
He continued, “it is better that a government, with a democratic mandate, be in place as soon as possible, to implement the reforms that are necessary for the future stability and growth of Mali, and, thereby, enhance the all-important fight against terrorism in Mali.”
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