President Nana Akufo-Addo has revealed that he had no difficulty whatsoever in supporting the candidature of Thomas Kwesi Quartey for the position of Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The President said when former President John Mahama told him about presenting Thomas Kwesi Quartey as Ghana’s candidate for the position, he had no seconds thoughts about his predecessor’s choice.

“It was a very easy matter for me because he [Mr. Quartey] was a Ghanaian who had the spirit and competence for the job,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo made this known on Thursday, February 16, 2017, when Thomas Kwesi Quartey, now Deputy AU Commission Chairperson, and Ambassador Victor Gbeho called on the President to thank him for the support offered to the candidature of Kwesi Quartey by the government.

It would be recalled that Thomas Kwesi Quartey served as deputy Foreign Affairs Minister under the Mahama government, and was until recently Secretary to former President, John Dramani Mahama.

Nonetheless, Thomas Quartey received the strongest support and backing from the government of President Akufo-Addo, resulting in him receiving 44 out of 54 votes cast, representing some 82% of votes from the Heads of State gathered.   

 “It was with a clean and sincere heart that I threw my support and I am happy that we were successful. I got all the credit for it by my fellow Heads of State, but I believe it was a good day for Ghana,” the President said.

The President urged the new Deputy AU Commission Chairperson to help effect the vision of continental integration, and ensure that the proposals adopted at the 28th AU Summit, which includes the proposals on continental free trade and finding sustainable ways of financing the AU, are fully implemented.  

He was confident that Kwesi Quartey would do a good job and hold high the flag of Ghana.

Ambassador Victor Gbeho, on his part, thanked the President for the immense support given to Thomas Kwesi Quartey’s candidature and assured him that the latter will work diligently to justify the confidence reposed in him, as well as enhance Ghana’s image in the comity of nations.