President Jacob Zuma has announced
Ghana’s nomination to receive the prestigious Africa Peace Award slated
for South Africa next year, in recognition of her shining example in
promoting democracy, good governance, peace and security.
He said the award, which would be
conferred on the country by the African Centre for Constructive
Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), is expected to be received by President
John Mahama, on behalf of the country.
President Jacob Zuma disclosed this in a joint media briefing to mark his three-day state visit to Ghana.
“We look forward to hosting President Mahama next year in South Africa to receive the award,” President Zuma stated.
President Zuma underscored the
importance for the two countries to work tirelessly to build a peaceful
and prosperous Africa, to fulfill the objectives set by the African
Union, adding “We are both committed to regional integration and the
formation of free trade zones within the continent.”
He added that the implementation of the
AU Infrastructure Development Programme by member-countries would
enhance economic development and change the face of the continent.
“The future looks bright, we are
determined to give meaning to the vision of our fore-fathers,” President
Zuma said, adding that Ghana and South Africa were known for their
commitment to peace, peacekeeping and reconstruction on the continent.
President Mahama thanked President Zuma
for embarking on the reciprocal visit, following the 2011 state visit to
South Africa by the late President John Evans Atta-Mills.
President Mahama noted that the
agreements which had been signed between the two countries showed that
Ghana and South Africa were ready to increase the volume of trade
between them. “Africa must look inward to consolidate trade and
investment among ourselves,” he added.
“We note with pride the remarkable
transformation of South Africa under your leadership and also note with
pride your efforts at bringing peace to troubled spots on the
continent,” President Mahama added.
A joint communiqué issued at the end of
the visit and read by the Foreign Minister, Ms Hannah Tetteh, noted
that the two leaders held fruitful discussions on a wide-range of issues
of mutual interest and in furtherance of co-operation at the bilateral,
regional and international levels.
They welcomed the tangible and
significant progress made in co-operation in the fields of energy,
science and technology, trade and industry, tourism, agriculture and
transport, as reflected in the outcome of the third session of the
Ghana-South Africa Permanent Joint Commission for Co-operation, held in
Pretoria on November 5, this year.
President Mahama and President Zuma
expressed satisfaction with the continuously expanding bilateral trade
and direct investments as well as progress made in consultations, aimed
at unlocking bottlenecks in market access.
The two leaders observed the signing of
agreements/Memoranda of Understanding between their countries, namely, a
bilateral air services agreement, co-operation in transport-related
matters, co-operation in the field of electricity; and a MoU between the
Ghana Standards Authority and the South African Bureau of Standards.
President Mahama has since seen off
President Zuma who was accompanied to Ghana by seven cabinet ministers
and a large business delegation.
Source: GNA
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