Equatorial Guinea President arrives

Accra, Aug 18, GNA - President Teodoro Opiang N'gumah M'basogo of Equatorial Guinea arrived on Monday for a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with President John Agyekum Kufuor and some top government officials.

Accompanied by his wife Constance, he was met on arrival by Vice President Aliu Mahama, Lt-Gen Seth Obeng, the Chief of Defence Staff and some top government officials.

Speaking to newsmen at the airport President M'basogo expressed appreciation for the invitation and said it would strengthen relations between the two countries.

He recalled the historical link between Ghana and Equatorial Guinea, especially with the importation of cocoa by Tetteh Quarshie from his country that was then known as Fernado Po.

President M'basogo called for economic and political cooperation between the two countries, stressing that, "Ghana has attained political and economic development and we need to learn from her".

On issues pertaining to the sub-region he said there was the need for ECOWAS leaders to complement the efforts of the ECOWAS Chairman towards ensuring peace and stability in the region. He urged member states of the African Union to co-operate with each other to ensure growth and avoid being left behind in the era of globalisation.

"We should start looking towards ensuring economic and political progress. The idea of NEPAD should be adopted by every member state". While in Ghana, President M'basago will hold bilateral talks with the President, meet members of the diplomatic corps; visit the Tema Oil Refinery as well as the Cocoa Processing Company.