Leader of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has congratulated Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on her election as the new Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of sub-regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).

At the just-ended Dakar Summit, President Sirleaf was elected as the successor of Senegal’s Macky Sall.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 7, Nana Akufo-Addo acknowledged the challenge that faces the Liberian leader given her being the first woman to occupy the position.

“I have no doubt that, just as she has acquitted herself creditably in her leadership of Liberia, she will discharge this responsibility effectively,” the former Ghana Foreign Minister said.

Nana Akufo-Addo urged President Johnson Sirleaf to hasten the consolidation of democracy in the sub-region and the integration of its citizens.

“This will impact positively on the lives of the 350 million people who live in West Africa, as it will, amongst others, allow for the free movement of people, goods and services across borders, thereby assisting in the transformation of West Africa’s economies, creating jobs for its peoples, and providing decent lives for its populations in conditions of freedom and respect for human rights and the rule of law.”

By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana

Twitter: @kwame_amoh