Ghana will on Tuesday hold a consultative meeting with sub-regional Heads of State over the political crisis in Mali.
The meeting to be held at the Peduase Lodge is convened by President Akufo-Addo in his capacity as chairman of ECOWAS.
The meeting is expected to come out with a roadmap for the appointment of a President or acting Head of State who will ensure that Mali returns to constitutional rule within 12 months.
These were announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway at a media briefing on Sunday.
The meeting which is President Akufo Addo’s first official assignment as ECOWAS chairman, follows the August 18 coup in Mali that overthrew embattled President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.
The military government that took over has pushed through a political charter to establish a transition government that will last for 18 months.
Per the charter a soldier could be appointed as leader of the interim government. However, these have been rejected by the coalition that led anti-government protests before the coup.
These have heightened the political crisis in Mali, with fears that it may escalate into a full blown conflict.
Already Mali has been suspended from ECOWAS.
According to the Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway, the meeting by President Akufo Addo is to contain the crisis so that it doesn’t spread to other African countries.
Madam Ayorkor Botchway said the meeting is expected to return Mali to constitutional rule within 12 months.
Madam Ayorkor Botchway also announced that the heads of state will be meeting with the military junta and all stakeholders in relation to the crisis in Mali.
Meanwhile, the Police has announced some road closures and diversions ahead of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments meeting on Tuesday at the Peduase lodge.
Some roads to be affected include the Jubilee lounge road at the Kotoka International Airport to Liberation road at Opeibea House, Airport By-pass to Giffard road through the Liberation road, 37Military Hospital through to Obasanjo street to Tang Palace Hotel.
Motorists are to plan alternative routes before embarking on their journey.
Superintendent Dr.Sasu Mensah is with the Motor, Traffic and Transport Department of the Ghana Police Service.
