Thomas Boni Yayi, president of Benin, clarified the will to continue to strive for building united and prosperous, new Benin, saying that the country consolidated peace and democracy last year through the presidential and parliamentary elections.

This year the government will concentrate efforts on the liquidation of poverty and create more jobs, he said, calling upon all the people to display patriotism to carry out the tasks facing the country.

John Evans Atta Mills, president of Ghana, noted that the country achieved the economic growth despite various difficulties last year. He stressed the need for all the people to strengthen unity and speed up substantial development this year when the presidential and parliamentary elections are to be held.

Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe, president of Togo, underlined the need to push forward the process for national reconciliation this year in order to consolidate the national unity and achieve economic growth.

All the citizens should earnestly perform their duties and make good results in their sectors, thus contributing to the common cause of the nation, he said.

Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, president of Equatorial Guinea, said that the country should successfully ensure the 2012 African Cup Soccer Tournament on the basis of last year's achievements. He also stressed the need to turn Equatorial Guinea into a state with rapid development by 2020. To this end, it is necessary for all the people to strengthen solidarity and unity, he added.

Idriss Deby, president of Chad, stressed it is urgent to eradicate corruption and illegality and realize social justice. It is important to work earnestly and assiduously rather than to get something with ease, he said.