Liberia honours Kufuor of Ghana..............

Liberia on Saturday honored President John Kufuor of Ghana with the country's highest national award in appreciation of his tremendous contribution in restoring peace and supporting the post-war reconstruction of the country.
At the investiture ceremony, the Liberian President, Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, decorated President Kufuor with the Distinction of Grand Cordon in the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood of the Pioneers of the Republic of Liberia.
President Johnson-Sirleaf said the Ghanaian leader had demonstrated strong leadership and care for his neighbours and had carved for himself a special place in the hearts of Liberians for his efforts and contributions.

She said the investiture ceremony was an expression of the deep appreciation for the role he played in securing peace for Liberians, as well as a recognition of all that Ghanaians had done for Liberians during the time of its national tragedy.









She told President Kufuor, “You are deserving of the honour because you merit it. We are proud of a true African solution to an African crisis. Happy is the peace maker, for he shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

A citation accompanying the award described President Kufuor as an astute politician, a good listener and a great consensus builder.

Receiving the award, President Kufuor said he was happy and humbled by the honour but indicated that he accepted it not only for himself but also on behalf of all Ghanaians.

He said the event marked another milestone in Ghana-Liberia relations.

He noted that the Liberian people had demonstrated that a setback could be turned into the beginning of great things to happen and underlined the need for continued peace, solidarity, patience and perseverance among all the stakeholders in Liberia’s development.

At the University of Liberia where he received the honorary doctorate degree, President Kufuor said he was impressed with the effort to revive Liberia and said the restoration was testimony to the fact that out of devastation and the ashes of war, progress was still possible.

Additionally, the Council of Traditional Chiefs of Liberia also decorated the President with a gown as a mark of the appreciation of the people of Liberia for him and Ghana, and was installed as a traditional ruler by Paramount Chiefs from all the 15 Counties of the country.
President Kufuor and party have since left Liberia for home.