President John Dramani Mahama honoured the long-standing friendship between Ghana and Kenya while joining Kenyans in commemorating their 62nd Jamhuri Day with a message of shared prosperity and Pan-African solidarity.
“On this day, your 62nd Jamhuri Day, the people of Ghana are in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Kenya,” the president said, extending heartfelt congratulations from the Ghanaian people.
“The friendship between our independence leaders, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Kwame Nkrumah has become an enduring flame that has continued to bind our two countries together,” he said, praising the strong historical links between the two countries.
Celebrating Kenya’s journey since independence and the sacrifices of freedom warriors whose heritage both countries revere, President Mahama acknowledged President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto.
President Mahama highlighted that “it is the responsibility of our current generation of African leadership to win economic independence and prosperity for our people,” even though he acknowledged that Africa’s ancestors achieved political independence.
He challenged the existing international economic system. “Africa faces numerous challenges, including a global order that is rigged against it and systems that make us suppliers of unprocessed raw materials and importers of finished products.”
In particular, President Mahama expressed “the sincerest appreciation of the people of Ghana to the people of Kenya for your timely intervention in Haiti to bring relief to the long-suffering people of Haiti,” praising Kenya’s Pan-African leadership.
He mentioned that Ghana is also sending soldiers from its 48th Engineer Regiment to help Jamaica rebuild after Hurricane Melissa.
In his vision for Africa’s transformation, the President called for boosting intra-African trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area, increasing the value of Africa’s exports, securing a more equitable share of natural resource endowments, offering transparent and accountable leadership, and unleashing the creativity and energy of African youth.
“May God grant him peaceful rest,” President Mahama said in closing, expressing his personal condolences and the grief of all Ghanaians on the death of statesman Mzee Raila Odinga.
Source: newsthemegh.com