...With great expectations of a partnership
Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Accra last night to begin a three-day visit to Ghana. The Prime Minister arrived from Nigeria, his first stop on his 4-nation African tour.
At the Kotoka International Airport to welcome him were President Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional rulers and other dignitaries.
When the British Airways Boeing 777 aircraft touched down at precisely 6:55pm, the President took the first strides of a Ghanaian head of state to welcome a visiting British Prime Minister in over forty years.
The British Prime Minister came down the gangway with his traditional wide smile to meet his host. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Baroness Morgan, his Private Secretary Alistair Campbell, Claire Short and a delegation of fourteen others.
After the Prime Minister had been presented with a bouquet by 11-year old Miss Christiana Acheampong, a pupil of Morning Star school in Accra, he was introduced to other members of the welcoming party.
They included Foreign Minister, Hackman Owusu Agyeman; Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo; Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey; British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Rod Pollen and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ibrahim Khalil Omar.
The La Kpa Wulomo, La Amlakuatse and Kalan Wolomo poured libation against a background of cultural dancing by the Ghana Dance Ensemble. From the Kotoka International Airport, Mr. Blair and his host President Kufuor drove to the Castle, Osu where he was warmly received by members of the cabinet.
The PM said he is in Ghana to strengthen the good relationship the two countries have had since colonial times.
He said in the process of change, "We hope to play a partnership with you to develop the country to its greatest height. I hope and believe that the friendship with Ghana will develop further."
President Kufuor also recounted the good relationship that has existed between Ghana and Britain over the years. He made reference to HIPC and asked Prime Minster Blair to give Ghana the necessary push for the country to be on its feet again.
The PM is expected to outline in detail his vision for his Africa Initiative when he addresses Parliament.
Meanwhile BBC News Online Political Correspondent, Nick Assinder, reporting on the first leg of the Prime Minister's visit to Africa says Tony Blair has hailed a new era of partnership between African nations and the West.
Speaking after a two hour meeting with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr Blair paid tribute to a new generation of African leaders who were committed to reforming the troubled continent.
Mr Blair defended the need for a British Prime Minister to travel abroad, following criticism at home of his so-called "designer diplomacy".
His words were backed by President Obasanjo, who recently faced a parliamentary motion saying he should concentrate more on domestic issues and less on travel.
President Obasanjo said, "Some of these criticisms are born out of ignorance."
Mr Blair said the meeting with President Obasanjo fulfilled a promise he had made more than two years ago.
The centrepiece of the talks between the two leaders was a new partnership for African development, which will also feature in the talks with President Kufuor later today.
The partnership would focus in investment, health and conflict resolution.
There was a "a new generation of leaders in Africa, who see it as their responsibility to make sure it happens", Mr Blair told reporters.
President Kufuor in just a few months in office is being hailed as one of the forward looking new crop of African Leaders who can help take the continent out of its despair and despondency. His talks with Mr. Blair would therefore be very crucial in setting the course of the British Prime Minister's African Agenda.
Echoing a theme he has held on to since he was leader of the opposition, Tony Blair told his African audience, "Increasingly we recognise in this world that that we are interdependent. So it is not only the right thing to do but it is in our interest."
...With great expectations of a partnership
Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived in Accra last night to begin a three-day visit to Ghana. The Prime Minister arrived from Nigeria, his first stop on his 4-nation African tour.
At the Kotoka International Airport to welcome him were President Kufuor, Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, traditional rulers and other dignitaries.
When the British Airways Boeing 777 aircraft touched down at precisely 6:55pm, the President took the first strides of a Ghanaian head of state to welcome a visiting British Prime Minister in over forty years.
The British Prime Minister came down the gangway with his traditional wide smile to meet his host. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Baroness Morgan, his Private Secretary Alistair Campbell, Claire Short and a delegation of fourteen others.
After the Prime Minister had been presented with a bouquet by 11-year old Miss Christiana Acheampong, a pupil of Morning Star school in Accra, he was introduced to other members of the welcoming party.
They included Foreign Minister, Hackman Owusu Agyeman; Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo Marfo; Minister of Information and Presidential Affairs, Jake Obetsebi Lamptey; British High Commissioner to Ghana, Dr Rod Pollen and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ibrahim Khalil Omar.
The La Kpa Wulomo, La Amlakuatse and Kalan Wolomo poured libation against a background of cultural dancing by the Ghana Dance Ensemble. From the Kotoka International Airport, Mr. Blair and his host President Kufuor drove to the Castle, Osu where he was warmly received by members of the cabinet.
The PM said he is in Ghana to strengthen the good relationship the two countries have had since colonial times.
He said in the process of change, "We hope to play a partnership with you to develop the country to its greatest height. I hope and believe that the friendship with Ghana will develop further."
President Kufuor also recounted the good relationship that has existed between Ghana and Britain over the years. He made reference to HIPC and asked Prime Minster Blair to give Ghana the necessary push for the country to be on its feet again.
The PM is expected to outline in detail his vision for his Africa Initiative when he addresses Parliament.
Meanwhile BBC News Online Political Correspondent, Nick Assinder, reporting on the first leg of the Prime Minister's visit to Africa says Tony Blair has hailed a new era of partnership between African nations and the West.
Speaking after a two hour meeting with Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mr Blair paid tribute to a new generation of African leaders who were committed to reforming the troubled continent.
Mr Blair defended the need for a British Prime Minister to travel abroad, following criticism at home of his so-called "designer diplomacy".
His words were backed by President Obasanjo, who recently faced a parliamentary motion saying he should concentrate more on domestic issues and less on travel.
President Obasanjo said, "Some of these criticisms are born out of ignorance."
Mr Blair said the meeting with President Obasanjo fulfilled a promise he had made more than two years ago.
The centrepiece of the talks between the two leaders was a new partnership for African development, which will also feature in the talks with President Kufuor later today.
The partnership would focus in investment, health and conflict resolution.
There was a "a new generation of leaders in Africa, who see it as their responsibility to make sure it happens", Mr Blair told reporters.
President Kufuor in just a few months in office is being hailed as one of the forward looking new crop of African Leaders who can help take the continent out of its despair and despondency. His talks with Mr. Blair would therefore be very crucial in setting the course of the British Prime Minister's African Agenda.
Echoing a theme he has held on to since he was leader of the opposition, Tony Blair told his African audience, "Increasingly we recognise in this world that that we are interdependent. So it is not only the right thing to do but it is in our interest."
