Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has disclosed that government will host the fourth extraordinary summit to deliberate on matters pertaining to the current coup situation in Guinea and possible restoration to democracy.
According to her, the summit will come off tomorrow, September, 16, 2021, at the Kempinski Hotel. Addressing the media on preparations being made towards summit, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey noted that based on the outcome of the summit a communique will be issued to the ECOWAS high-level commission.
“The fourth coming of the Extraordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority is therefore being held to enable the high-level mission report to the Authority after which the latter will deliberate and consider the next steps to be taken towards the restoration of the country to the path of democratic governance and constitutional rule.
“The summit will therefore have a single agenda. Where I will lay before the Authority the report of the ECOWAS high-level mission to Guinea…”
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
The Foreign Affairs Minister further gave some information on the expected participation from countries to the summit.
“Currently, seven heads of states and governments have confirmed their participation. While Nigeria will be represented at the level of the Vice President, Sierra Leone and Gambia will be represented by their foreign ministers. The ministry has not received any indication of participation by Cape Verde and Benin at the moment. We are also expecting the participation of the President and Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission.
“The outcome of the deliberations by the heads of states will be captured in a communique; which will be issued at the end of the summit”.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
Condition of ousted Guinea President
Touching on the state of the ousted Guinea President, Alpha Conde, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey revealed that the deposed President is physically well.
She further hinted that his state of health has also been confirmed by his doctor, “who ascertained that indeed physically he’s very well”.
“But for anybody who has gone through such a traumatic experience like he did, mentally, it’s not the best, not to say that mentally we found anything wrong, but he was quite shocked; he’s still in a state of shock”.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
Additionally, the Foreign Minister equally stated that the coup leaders outlined conditions to release the deposed President.
“Conditions under which he’d be released, that I at the moment cannot talk about, the heads of state sent us on a mission. We will present the report to them tomorrow.
“Indeed, they did put to us a number of conditions under which they’d be released, but it’d not be proper to put that out now”.
Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey
Ceremonial roads to be temporarily closed
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has announced that parts of the Liberation and Independence Roads in Accra will experience a temporary disruption of traffic flow.
Speaking to the media, Director of Public Affairs, Supt. Alexander Obeng, explained that the roadblock is to facilitate the transportation of participating Heads of States and Governments of the ECOWAS.
He revealed that affected areas will include the Kotoka International Airport, Opebia, Akuafo Roundabout and Afrikiko. Also, the Ako-Adjei interchange, National Theatre, Ridge Roundabout, and Kempinski Hotel will be closed to the public.
Furthermore, Supt. Obeng emphasized that police visibility will be prominent in the areas to reduce the traffic impact on road users.
“Knowing very well that the summit will come on at a time that we will be experiencing rush hours both morning and evening, not less than 100 police officers will be deployed.
“There will be dispatch riders leading these convoys, so as and when there is a proceeding, we in the very short notice will clear the road for safe exit and then we will open traffic. So, we won’t be blocking it for such a long time”.
Supt. Alexander Obeng
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