Mills, Best Leader In Africa – Ban Ki-moon

The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, has lauded President John Evans Atta Mills for his role in the peace process in La Cote d’Ivoire.

He said the exemplary leadership role of President Mills in crisis situations in Africa was unmatched, and described him as, “the best leader on the continent”.

Mr Ban made the commendation when he made a stopover at the Kotoka International Airport on his way to the investiture of President Allasane Ouattara in La Cote d’Ivoire Saturday.

He said even with the establishment of a democratic government in Cote d’Ivoire, “our duties to ensure peace and stability in that country are not yet over. The UN would continue to count on your support for the peace process on the continent,” he added.

He said the ousting of former President Laurent Gbagbo should send a strong signal to all African leaders that they would not be allowed again to illegally perpetuate themselves in power against the will of the people.

“While the crisis in La Cote d’Ivoire seems to be over, our duties to ensure peace and stability in that country are not yet over. There is a lot of responsibility on our part,” he stressed.

He urged President Outarra to promote reconciliation, unity and peace, pledging the support of the UN in that regard.

On Ghana’s 2012 election, Mr Ban said ,“As you consolidate the gains you have chalked up in your country’s democracy and establish another success, the UN will stand ready to give you every support.”

He expressed optimism that President Mills would make efforts towards sustainable development, poverty reduction, elimination of diseases and improvement in education, and underscored the need for Ghana to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets.

President Mills said the decision to attend the investiture of President Ouatarra underscored the importance he attached to the peace process in Cote d’Ivoire.

He said he regarded the return of peace to Cote d’Ivoire as a great challenge, and appealed to the development partners to come to the aid of that country.

“We will co-operate fully because whatever affects Cote d’Ivoire affects us greatly. We will do it in greater measures to ensure peace at all costs,” he said.