The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Akufo Ado, has applauded Governor Udom Emmanuel’s re-election describing his victory at the polls as a testimony of his unique leadership qualities in the state.
The country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Rasheed Bawa, conveyed the president’s message during a courtesy call on Emmaunuel at the governor’s office, Uyo.
He said the victory was an eloquent testimony of the love and confidence the people have in him, as well as an attestation of the landmark investment brought to the state in his first tenure.
He particularly lauded the landmark development witnessed in the state and the investment disposition of the state administration and thanked the Governor for the hospitality.
He expressed the hope that the governor’s second tenure would attract more significant development to the state, and acknowledged the age long bilateral ties with Nigeria and Akwa Ibom in particular.
“Many Ghanaians engaged in the fishing business and there is need for a sustained economic cooperation between Ghana and the state.
The commissioner said he was in the state for a retreat by the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) which was held in Uyo and had to pay courtesy visit on the governor.
He informed the governor of the challenges confronting Ghanian fishermen in the coastal region of the state and urged the government to look into the situation and presented a petition to that effect to the governor.
Ambassador Bawa said: “there is need for a common identification of people in the West African region to enable the people go about their businesses without hitch as this will well boost trade and free movement of labour in the region.”
Governor Emmanuel applauded the ECOWAS for its pivotal role in enhancing regional economic cooperation and integration.
The governor thanked the president of Ghana for his goodwill message, and commended ECOWAS for the choice of Akwa Ibom for the retreat.
“Nigeria has impacted positively in the economy of Ghana and the two countries have enjoyed trade relations, educational and tourists development,” Emmanuel said.
He acknowledged the contributions of Ghanaian citizens in the shores of Akwa Ibom for fishing business stressing that “there has been a healthy socio economic growth in the fishing communities.”
Governor Emmanuel said that efforts has been geared towards the provision of electricity and portable water for the riverine communities and assured the high commissioner that issues raised in the petitions shall be adequately addressed and thanked him for the honour.
