A financially distressed Guinea Bissau is seeking financial assistance from Ghana and other ECOWAS members as it recovers from a difficult period of political instability.

Guinean Prime Minister Domingos Simões Pereira told the press during a call on Vice President Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur his country's “most expressive” need was “financial”.

Guinea Bissau is not the only West African country seeking financial support because Ghana too is currently seeking financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund and hopes to conclude talks and announce a deal before the year ends.

But for a country that struggled to hold an inauguration ceremony for its new government, Guinea Bissau's financial situation is dire.

Guinea Bissau which has recently returned to democratic rule after an April 2012 coup intends to salvage its economy through help from ECOWAS under the chairmanship of President John Mahama.

Prime Minister of Guinea Bissau Domingos Simões Pereira made the plea for the ECOWAS financial assistance during on a two day official visit to Ghana which was hosted by vice president Kwesi Bekoe Amissah Arthur at Akosombo.

This will be the second time Guinea Bissau is seeking financial assistance from ECOWAS.

In July, Heads of States within ECOWAS agreed to create a special Emergency Fund for Guinea Bissau to help  the new government tackle some pressing social challenges.

The last time Prime Minister Domingo Periera visited Ghana, it was to seek financial support after a successful democratic election ended with a severely battered economy. 

Civil servants had not been paid for months and by their own accounts, organization of a fitting inaugural ceremony was tough. 

But the country is still in the woods.

“We still have a lot of challenges to face and we are looking forward to do it having the support of ECOWAS. So we are preparing a roundtable meeting for next year in February”, the Prime Minister said.

After witnessing the diplomatic support mobilised by President Mahama before, during and after the country's elections, Prime Minister Domingo Periera is convinced   "having the support of ECOWAS specifically having the Ghana support" will be crucial.