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Kenyan President, Dr William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, has described Ghana’s democracy as a beacon of hope and an inspiration to many countries, especially with the emergence of unconstitutional governments from all directions.

He explained that Kenya was proud of Ghana’s democracy, particularly the almost equal Members of Parliament for both the Minority and Majority which, he said, demonstrated the level of maturity of Ghana’s democracy and the extent to which it was entrenched.

President Ruto made the commendation during bilateral talks between Ghana and Kenya as part of his three-day state visit to Ghana at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday.

President Ruto, who led a high-powered delegation of ministers and businessmen to Ghana, was given full honours by the Ghana Navy which mounted a guard of honour for him to inspect.

The Navy also fired a 21-gun salute and played the national anthems of both countries. President Akufo-Addo and the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, met the Kenyan President and his spouse at the foyer of the Jubilee House and after exchanging pleasantries, greeted the ministers from both countries.

The two Presidents then had a tete-a-tete and later joined the bilateral meeting which culminated in the signing of five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), while the bilateral relations were moved to the level of a bi-national commission.

President Ruto indicated that they had agreed that the inaugural session of the Bi-national Commission would provide the two countries with an opportunity to reaffirm friendship, deepen bilateral ties and strengthen the normal course of African economic integration.

He explained that as the home of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Ghana was leading a force in economic integration and development and, therefore, commended President Akufo-Addo for spearheading the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Visa requirements

President Ruto said the recent announcement by Ghana to remove entry fees for all Africans by December this year aligned with one of the goals of the AfCFTA to create a single market on the continent to drive economic growth, grow and create more jobs, and eradicate poverty.

He said he had also in a similar vein removed visa requirements for visitors from all African countries with effect from January 1, this year. President Ruto commended President Akufo-Addo for his role as the Champion for African Union institutions, which include the Africa Central Bank, the Africa International Monetary Fund, the Africa Investment Bank, and the Pan African Stock Exchange.

He reiterated his endorsement of President Akufo-Addo’s determination to ensure the building of these institutions as a mechanism for consolidating the economic and financial situation on the continent.

“I concur, President, that we should as African countries, invest in these institutions, and Kenya last year invested $40 million in Afreximbank. We are considering investing in Trade and Development Bank as a way of putting a stamp of approval on these institutions and building their capacity to assist us develop our own financial institutions,” he added.

“What the President is championing is going to be part of the consolidation of the reform of the enhancement of institutions that will support the progress and prosperity of our continent,” he added.