President Bola Tinubu has given the assurance that Ghana can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill as its new president, John Mahama, is sworn in.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Monday when he spoke as the Special Guest of Honour at the swearing in of Mahama in Accra Ghana.
He said the bond between Nigeria and Ghana was strong and could not be broken.
He said the two countries would work to make the bond lead to greater shared prosperity for the people of the two countries.
He prayed that the new government would bring about success and progress for Ghana and the region.
His words: “President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you. You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.
“May your administration be a profound success and progress for you, Ghanaians, and our entire region.
“I am confident that the new government, under the leadership of President John Mahama, will work with Nigeria to strengthen this powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for our people. I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.”
Tinubu noted that Mahama’s ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing subregional integration and progress.
According to him, with “laser focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.”
“May Ghana’s democracy continue to grow stronger. May progress and prosperity be your portion. Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity,” he prayed.
Tinubu also described the inauguration as a celebration of African democracy.
He said the moment more than symbolised another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society.
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“It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours,” he said.
Tinubu added: “Ghana has answered that question resoundingly. It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves. We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves. We have found the critical path to our success. We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.”
He said he was at the occasion not only as the President of Nigeria but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people.
Said he: “The sun is out, and the sky says daylight, but I see today a Black star rising high in the African sky. This black star shines over this nation, and its rays spread across this Continent with a sense of shared history, hope, compassion, unity, and devotion to our common welfare.
“While others may seek to demean Africa and keep brother pitted against brother, that shining star reminds us of who we are. Better yet, it reminds us of who we can be. That star means that we shall always strive to work together. Even when we disagree, we shall dialogue and discuss until we reach an agreement. Never, never shall we harm others and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve.
“The spirit of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, is here today, lifting that star higher and higher. Just as Ghana draws inspiration and a well of strength from Kwame Nkrumah and many of its past leaders, Nigeria similarly draws inspiration from its founding leaders who not only fought for her independence but also cherished the close relationship between our two nations.
“May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders.”
