Two state solution best for Palestine-Israel conflict --- Akufo-Addo
THE establishment of two states, Palestine and Israel, living peacefully side by side within internationally recognised borders will represent the best solution to the protracted conflict in the Middle East, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has stated.
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He said the current conflict between them should not be allowed to escalate into Lebanon since any such situation could have alarming repercussions for the rest of the Middle East.
The President said that although it was difficult to exercise restraint when under attack, “nevertheless, everybody recognises that the situation calls for some restraint, especially on the part of Israel so that this matter is not escalated”.
President Akufo-Addo was speaking when the outgoing Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Shlomit Sufa, paid a farewell visit to him at the Jubilee House in Accra on Thursday.
Ghana’s position
The President said that although Ghana had consistently supported Israel's right to exist and to defend itself, the country’s position over the decades had always been for a two-state solution - a central feature of Ghana’s diplomacy.
He described the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas as “completely unacceptable, but at the same time we also think that every effort should be made to find a peaceful solution”.
President Akufo-Addo said a peace plan by the US President, Joe Biden, which had undergone some modifications presented a good opportunity for both sides to find a way forward and cease fire.
He said the long-drawn-out conflict must end, and halt the situation where Israel in perpetuity would have to be fighting for its existence like it was doing now.
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The President said Ghana would welcome any effort that would bring sustainable peace to the region.
Appreciation
Ms Sufa expressed appreciation to the President and the people of Ghana for their support during her tenure of service.
She said she and her team had worked tirelessly to deepen relations between the two countries, adding that they had worked closely to attain a lot within the last three years.
The outgoing ambassador mentioned health, agriculture, education, innovation, cyber security, fintech and entrepreneurship as some of the sectors they had supported in the country.
The ambassador further said that as part of efforts to support the Green Ghana Day initiative, it had established a Jerusalem Forest around Shai Hills and also supported various communities, including Zangos, and brought in experts to work in Ghana.
She commended Ghana’s role in international peacekeeping, especially in southern Lebanon, saying “we don’t want war, we believe Hezbollah does not want war”.