Accra, Ghana – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and John Mahama of Ghana have agreed to cooperate in the areas of defense and security, power, and fisheries.
According to a dispatch from Accra, this was disclosed by Ghanaian President John Mahama when they addressed reporters in Accra following bilateral meetings with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
President Mahama pointed out that Ghana is ready to provide technical expertise in developing transmission and distribution of electricity through Ghanaian private sector engagement and with support from the Volta River Authority.
The Ghanaian leader also indicated that Liberia could benefit from Ghanaian technical expertise in expanding electricity supply throughout the country.
He said with the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydro power facility, transmission and distribution is critical adding, “Ghana is ready to offer technical expertise to our Liberian counterparts.
President Mahama also announced that under an Agreement between the Ministries of Defense of Ghana and Liberia, training and capacity development for members of the Armed Forces of Liberia will be implemented at the facilities of the Ghana Armed Forces.
The program will include the training of officers and under that the Agreement, Liberian soldiers are to be granted access to the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana.
He also promised the full cooperation of the Government of Ghana in Liberia’s fight against illegal fishing in its territorial waters. Ghana has since submitted a report to Liberia following an investigation of allegation of illegal fishing by Ghanaian vessels with both countries committing to work together to address the problem.
The two leaders also agreed to allow their intelligence and security agencies to cooperate in the exchange of information in the wake of the growing menace of terrorism in West Africa.
For her part, President Sirleaf welcomed Ghana’s offer of cooperation in several areas. She said with the historic bounds between the two countries, such cooperation would be mutually beneficial.
“With your country’s experience in power generation and distribution, Ghanaian expertise would be helpful to Liberia’s power expansion program”, she pointed out.
The Liberian leader said intra-regional cooperation in line with ECOWAS’ integration policy will enhance economic growth and development.
The President was accompanied on the visit to Ghana by Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara, Defense Minister Brownie Samukai, Information Minister Eugene Nagbe, Commerce Minister Axel Addy, Youth & Sports Minister Saah N’tow and Dr. Augustine Jarrett, Economic Advisor to the President.