Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, on Monday met with Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas and the Head of Elections and Democracy of the Kofi Annan Foundation, Mr. Sebastian Brack, to seek further clarification on government’s commitment to support the programme in the area of dialogue and democracy in the sub region.
Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey Commended the Foundation for keeping the vision of its founding father, Kofi Annan, alive and countinually bearing the flame of Democracy and Peace-Keeping.
She expressed satisfaction, the excellent and sustained efforts of the Foundation to promote democracy, peace and security in the ECOWAS region.
She underscored the significance of the pursuit of democracy to development in the region and asserted that as one of the reasons why the government of Ghana, without hesitation, indicated its support for the proposed Conference in Accra.
She noted with concern that some countries are straying from democratic governance; which studies have proven to be linked to growth and development, and expressed regret about the recent developments in Mali and their potential to turn the clock back on the democratization process in that country, after a similar incident less than a year ago.
Honourable Ayorkor affirmed government’s commitment, as Chair of ECOWAS, to initiatives aimed at strengthening of democratic processes, good governance and the rule of law to pave way for the achievement of an inclusive and sustainable development for the people of the West African sub-region and the Sahel.
She stated that the experience of H.E. the President as Chair of ECOWAS, as well as other prospective Former Heads of States and Dr. Chambas, will enrich the discussions on democracy and good governance, towards the realisation of peace and security in the sub-region.
She again indicated that the Conference comes at an opportune time and will add to the call and various initiatives to foster peace and security in the sub-region and Ghana will use its position as chair to continue mediatory and steering situations that threaten sub-regional peace and security.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration will collaborate with the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Training Institute to provide the necessary support for the success of the event.
She eiterated that government is ready to accord the needed assistance to ensure the success of the conference and wish her guest fruitful meetings with the relevant stakeholders.
BACKGROUND
The Executive Director of the Kofi Annan Foundation in Geneva, Ms. Corrine Momal Vanian, in a letter dated 8th March, 2021,requested the support of the Government of Ghana to organise a series of public events in Accra, and other cities in West Africa, to promote dialogue on Democracy and Good Governnce in West Africa.
The Foundation also requested H.E.Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic, to leverage his credentials as a strong advocate of democracy and good governance in Africa, as well as his current position as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
An additional suggestion was made for the consideration of an item on Democracy and Good Govenance to the agenda of ECOWAS meetings and further proposed the organisation of events on the margins of the ECOWAS Summit to mark the 20th Anniversary of the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance in December, 2021 as well as a public educational by relevant government institutions, Think-Tanks and Civil Society Organisation.
The Office of the President, by the attached copy of letter No. OPS 311/21/308 dated 22nd March, 2021, subsequently conveyed the approval of H.E. the President for the Government of Ghana to support the Kofi Annan Foundation to organise the series of public events in Accra.
