I’ll make experience available to Akufo-Addo - Tony Blair
A former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr Tony Blair, has offered to make his experience and insight available to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the President seeks to return the economy to the path of growth, progress and prosperity.
Mr Blair is in the country at the invitation of the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) to deliver a lecture on democracy.
The two held a closed-door meeting, during which they discussed global issues that have a bearing on the general development of Africa.
Addressing the press after the meeting, Mr Blair congratulated the President on the ambitious vision he had for the development of Ghana’s economy, saying it was a great time for Ghana.
Great expectations
He observed that the government of President Akufo-Addo had come to office at a time of great expectations on the part of Ghanaians.
“You have assumed this great responsibility of office and, as is very apparent, when anyone spends time with you, they realise that this is a person with the interest of the country in his heart and the right spirit with which to face these challenges,” he said.
He said he knew that the challenges were formidable but that he was prepared to provide the needed insight from the experiences that he had as a one-time leader of the United Kingdom.
He said what he had taken to doing after leaving office was help countries pursuing change and development such as Ghana.
Delivering on priorities
“We just focus on the simple work of helping countries deliver the priorities to their people. We do that in a completely non-partisan, non-political way,” Mr Blair explained.
He was of the opinion that the intervention was good for Ghana, the sub-region and the world.
“As I know, when you first come into office, it is a moment of huge opportunity, but you are always aware of the weight of responsibility that sits on your shoulders. And one thing that I think is absolutely clear about you and the administration you lead is that you are determined to do your very best for the country and its people.
“I know that you are fully aware of the responsibility and the opportunities and I wish you and the Ghanaian people every success. If there is something that we can do to help in the process of change, we would like to do it,” Mr Blair pledged.
For his part, President Akufo-Addo said Mr Blair came to Ghana over 10 years ago when he (Blair) was Prime Minister.
“He is back as a former Prime Minister but still very interested in Ghana and its development. He came to have discussions with me on the ways in which he can help, the insights that he has had into governance and also help me in what I am trying to do,” the President said.
Writer’s email: victor.kwawukume@graphic.com.gh