The Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President John Dramani Mahama, on Sunday paid a brief visit to The Gambia following an attempted coup in the small West African country.
Accompanied by the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Toga Gayewea Mcintosh, President Mahama said his visit, though brief, was to show ECOWAS' solidarity with President Yahya Jammeh and the people of The Gambia.
He told journalists that "In the African tradition, if anything happens in your brother's house you have to go and visit and make sure that things are okay, and that is why I came. You also know that our ECOWAS protocols do not support violent overthrow of governments, so we want to remind all member states of the protocols that ECOWAS has, that change of government must be through democratic means and as far as possible we should try and abide by that."
The Ghanaian leader was received at the Banjul International Airport by The Gambian leader, government officials, and members of the diplomatic corps as well as hundreds of Ghanaians living in The Gambia and Gambian nationals.
Mr. Mahama inspected a Guard of Honour mounted by The Gambian Armed Forces both on arrival and before his departure.
The almost three-hour stop over, according to Gambian officials, was a major step by President Mahama and ECOWAS to demonstrate its support and cooperation with member states.
Latest Stories
-
Michael Ampadu: One Student, One Tablet initiative will shape the future of education and innovation
6 mins -
I will partner you for development – Alan tells TUC
14 mins -
Malnutrition, anemia remain concern to UNICEF
20 mins -
Kasoa shrinking penis: Court remands Electrician over false alarm
36 mins -
‘I look forward to working closely with President-elect Faye to enhance Ghanaian-Senegalese relations’ – Akufo-Addo
2 hours -
Girl, 8, only survivor as 45 killed in bus crash in South Africa
2 hours -
Biden to host star-studded NYC fundraiser with Obama and Clinton
2 hours -
GDNR, AAU and others launch Universal Acceptance for local languages in internet domain names
3 hours -
Ogum and Kotoko’s March malaise
4 hours -
BushGang Zee releases new afro dancehall anthem “Accra Stay By Plan”
5 hours -
2 repair vessels dispatched for undersea cable repairs – says NCA’s latest update
5 hours -
Multimedia Group Limited’s Clinton Yeboah shortlisted for 2 International Sports Press Association Awards
5 hours -
Supreme Court upholds High Court verdict on fraudulent sale of property by Senior Police Officer
5 hours -
NHIS Biometric Membership Authentication System limited rollout satisfactory – NHIA Deputy CEO
6 hours -
Yara Ghana donates 1,107 bags of fertilizers to women farmers, farmers with disabilities
6 hours