Ambassador calls on Minister

Accra, Feb. 5, GNA - Mr. Cham Ugala Uriat, the Ethiopian Ambassador in Ghana on Tuesday lauded Ghana for successfully hosting the on-going MTN African Football Tournament.

Mr Uriat who expressed optimism that Ghana would be the winner at the end of the tournament said; "we cherish and share Ghana's joy and success during the tournament."

He said this when he called on Mrs. Oboshie Sai-Cofie, Minister of Information and National Orientation at her office in Accra. The visit was to afford him the opportunity to inform the Minister about his country's celebrations dubbed: "Ethiopian Millennium." The ambassador noted that his Ethiopia and Ghana had a long standing history, hence the need to inform the people of Ghana and people living in the Diaspora about the unique celebration that aimed at showcasing his country.

Commenting on Ghana's democracy, Mr Uriat commended the various political parties for electing the flag bearers peacefully. Mrs. Sai-Cofie however expressed her disappointment over pockets of alleged violent clashes in Nigeria soon after Ghana's win over the Nigerians last Sunday's.

The Minister said though the reports had not been substantiated, she was optimistic that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and NEPAD was investigating. "Football must unite us, that is what we hope to achieve at the end of the tournament," she remarked.

On Ghana's elections, Mrs. Sai-Cofie told the Ambassador that the nation's last four elections had been progressive, adding that the one to be held this year would not be an exception. Mrs. Sai-Cofie, who also briefed Mr Uriat on Ghana's media landscape, mentioned the deteriorating journalistic standards as well as unsubstantiated stories as some of its challenges. Mr Uriat, who later signed the visitors' book, presented two books on Ethiopia to the Minister.