Czech Government to support Ghana's Oil Find

Accra, April 30, GNA - The Czech Government has expressed its willingness to support Ghana to explore to the full, her oil and gas potentials. In addition, it is prepared to provide the needed expertise to incre= ase Ghana's power generation capacity.

These sentiments were made known by Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Hyne= k Kmonicek on behalf of Czech Government at a meeting with members of Ghana= 's Parliamentary delegation currently on a four-day goodwill visit to the Cz= ech Republic.

A statement issued in Accra and signed by Ms. Kate Addo, Deputy Director of Public Affairs in Parliament House, said "Mr Kmonicek observe= d that his country had been following closely efforts by the Ghana Governme= nt to improve the country's economy".

"He was particularly glad that the oil find will further strengthen the economic structures but was quick to add that proceeds from the find coul= d only accelerate economic development if sound management systems were put= in place," it added. The Czech Republic, he observed, had supported various countries to develop their energy potentials and therefore would not hesitate to provi= de the same measure of support to Ghana.

Mr Kmonicek called on Ghana's Parliament to be actively involved in the drive towards attracting potential investors to Ghana, especially with double taxation, investment protection and ratification of treaties. The Speaker of Parliament, Mrs Joyce Bamford-Addo, leading the delegation, called for closer co-operation between Ghana and Czech Republ= ic to further strengthen the existing relations for their mutual benefits. She observed that such visits were important in promoting peace an= d understanding across the globe.

The Majority Leader, Mr Cletus Avorka, reiterated Ghana's commitme= nt to good governance and democracy.

He gave the assurance that Parliament would continue to work towar= ds establishing an investment-friendly climate in Ghana. The Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, said regardless of=

the good intentions of the Executive, Parliament should always be involve= d in the process that would eventually lead to signing and ratifying agreements brought to the House for approval.