The Ghanaian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Alhaji Rashid Bawa, has called for sustenance of the age-long bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.
Bawa who made the call on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Emmanuel at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo, however, stated that Ghana is undertaking biometric registration of her citizens within and outside the country.
He said he was in Akwa Ibom for a two-day retreat for Permanent Representatives Committee of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, and pledged to use the opportunity to meet Ghanaians doing businesses in coastal communities in the state.
In compliance with ECOWAS protocol, the Commissioner assured to sensitise Ghanaians in Akwa Ibom to participate in the biometric registration exercise in order to obtain identification documents to ease movement of labour and trade in the West African region.
The High Commissioner appreciated the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage despite the short notice to the state government.
Meanwhile, President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, has congratulated Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, on his re-election at the just-concluded governorship polls in the state.
Conveying the message, Bawa said President Akufo-Addo was not surprised at the overwhelming victory recorded by Mr. Emmanuel during the March 9 governorship election, attributing such to the Governor’s impressive performance in projects and programmes execution during his first term in the office.
According to him, the President acknowledged that Governor Emmanuel’s track record of success in the private sector has been duly implemented in governance of rhetoric state, expressing conviction that his administration would leave a marked difference on the lives of Akwa Ibom people.
Responding, Emmanuel who attributed his victory at the polls to the might of God rather than strength from humans, thanked President Akufo-Addo for his goodwill message and interest in the well-being of Akwa Ibom people, pledging to invite him to the inauguration of some development projects in the state.
The governor who commended the ECOWAS for initiating the protocol that would enhance regional cooperation in economic and security of the West African region, lauded the organizers for hosting the retreat in Uyo.
He expressed delight for the existing partnership between Nigeria and Ghana, pointing out that his administration was expanding scope of social services in education, roads construction, electricity and health-care services in coastal communities to benefit citizens of both countries.
