German Foreign Minister visits Ghana

Accra, Aug. 2, GNA - Dr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Accra on Thursday afternoon from Nigeria for a-day's official visit.

A 30-man entourage accompanied him.

During a press briefing, Dr Steinmeier said the visit was timely since it marked 50 years of Ghana-German relations. It would also afford the two countries to reflect upon their past relations and forge ahead towards deeper partnership. The German Foreign Minister said his visit was a follow up to a meeting he had held with President John Agyekum Kufuor during the just ended G8 Summit.

Mr Akwasi Osei Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that Germany had been of immense help to Ghana in the past. Briefing journalists on a closed-door meeting he had held with the German Minister soon after his arrival, Mr Osei Adjei said the two discussed ways in which Germany could be of assistance to Ghana to solve the current energy crisis facing the country.

He said other issues on the continent, such as the Darfur crisis and the political situation in la Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone were also discussed.

Mr Osei Adjei said Dr Steinmeier was expected to meet President Kufuor during his visit.

The visit formed parts of a two-state African tour that began with Nigeria.

Dr Steinmeier is expected to leave Ghana for Germany on Friday.