Ghana, Equatorial Guinea cement ties

Accra, March 2, GNA - Ghana and the Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday reaffirmed their bonds of friendship and commended each other on efforts so far reached to activate the Joint Commission of Co-operation between the two nations.

President John Evans Atta Mills has therefore expressed the need for the two countries to work to the mutual benefit of each other. The issues outlined in the Joint Commission of Co-operation include agriculture, mines and energy, transportation, and construction, educatio= n, trade and industry.

In a discussion at the Osu Castle with a delegation from Equatorial Guinea led by the Foreign Affairs Minister, Pastor Micha Ondo Bile, President Mills, said he was happy that the Commission was working to reconnect the relations between the two nations.

The delegation was in Accra to attend the opening session of the Joi= nt Commission of Co-operation for the two nations. Pastor Bile also delivered a special message from the Equatorial Gui= nea President, Teodoro Obiang Nguema to President Mills. President Mills registered his appreciation to his colleague Presiden= t for the speed which he has responded to the activation of the Joint Commission and noted that the two nations had a lot in common which must be worked on for their mutual benefits.

He also expressed appreciation for the warm reception he received wh= en he visited Equatorial Guinea for the investiture of President Nguema. Pastor Bile said the delegation was in Ghana to review agreements in=

the Joint Commission. He said the review process had been done in a very cordial and understanding atmosphere. Energy Minister, Dr Joe Oteng Adjei, announced that the meeting concluded all issues on the energy sector. Last December when President Mills visited Equatorial Guinea, he appealed to the leaders of the country to share the best practices in oil=

and gas industry with Ghana. President Mills said such best practices would ensure that revenue generated from the sector is judiciously used for the benefit of the peop= le of Ghana.