Ghana’s President Says Buhari’s Illness Made ECOWAS Leaders Anxious

Omololu Ogunmade Enumah Alex

The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s illness created a volume of anxiety within the rank and file of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Akufo-Addo who made this remark while answering questions from State House correspondents in the Presidential Villa after visiting Buhari, said he was very glad to see the president in his vigorous and lively state.

Ghana’s president who arrived at the State House at about 3:11 p.m. and was received by Buhari in company of his Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, and other State House officials, later went into a closed-door meeting with the president.

Answering questions after the meeting, Akufo-Addo said he had opted to visit Buhari to see for himself his state of health and how he’s faring, pointing out that the 30 minutes he spent with him was not a dull moment as the president was “vigorous and engaging” in all issues they discussed.

Akufo-Addo who also said he discussed issues affecting ECOWAS community with Buhari, added that he was returning to Ghana with excitement that following Buhari’s wellbeing, it is well with Nigeria which he described as Ghana’s big brother.

“I came from Accra today to visit my senior brother, President Buhari. All of us have been very anxious about his wellbeing and it was a very good news that he had returned. As an African, I have to come and see for myself how he is. I am very delighted to see that he is back, very vigorous as always, very engaging on the issues of our day.

“We had a good half an hour together, reviewing matters both in Ghana and Nigeria as well as immediate matters about what is going on in the ECOWAS community. So, I am happy that I have this opportunity to come, and I am going back to Ghana very fortified to tell the Ghanaian nation that our big brother Nigeria is well and things are well,” Akufo-Addo said.

Akufo-Addo also said both of them reviewed issues affecting both countries. “We reviewed issues of interest to both countries and those of the ECOWAS,” he added.

Also speaking on the meeting of the two West African leaders, Buhari’s chief spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the visit would further strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Ghana.