President John Evans Atta Mills has congratulated Peter Cardinal Appiah-Turkson on his elevation to the high office of President of the Vatican Peace and Justice Council.

“It is with deep sense of pride and satisfaction that I convey to you the warm congratulations of the Government and people of your beloved country on the occasion of your recent elevation to the  high office of President of the Vatican Peace and Justice Council,” he said.

A letter of commendation signed by President Mills said “I wish to also add my own sincere congratulations for bringing such honour not only to Ghana but also to all Africans and people of African descent everywhere”.

It said as expected, the news of his appointment was spontaneously received with joy and respected by Ghanaians, not because it followed on his achievements in the church.

“But especially because his expected service in the establishment of peace and justice among peoples everywhere are noble goals equally cherished by all of us at this time of our nation’s development,” the statement said.

It expressed the hope that Ghanaians would, through their prayers, commit Cardinal Appiah-Turkson’s noble thoughts and endeavours into the hands of the Almighty in order that the Vatican Council of Peace and Justice might, through its deliberations and activities, help bring a better world to mankind irrespective of nationality, race, religion or political affiliations.