Ghana, Mauritius to set up permanent commission for co-operation

Accra, July 4, GNA - Ghana and Mauritius have agreed to set up a Joint Permanent Commission for Co-operation to examine identifiable areas of collaboration between the two countries to recommend ways of enhancing teamwork between the countries.

This was contained in an eleven-point communiqu=E9 issued at the end of a three-day official visit to the country by Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister and Head of Government of the Island of Mauritius. The Communiqu=E9, signed for Ghana by Mr. Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and appended by Harry Ganoo, Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of Civil Service for the Republic of Mauritius, said the leaders of the two countries struck this agreement after discussions.

It said the two Presidents held private discussions on matters of mutual interest and particularly reviewed the state of bi-lateral co-operation as well as matters of current regional and international interest against the background of recent event in Africa.

The communiqu=E9 said the two leaders discussed the historical ties and solidarity between their respective countries and agreed that looking at certain key areas could expand the scope of co-operation. These areas include trade, health manpower training, culture, investment, fishing, transport and communication.

The rest are Information and Communication Technology (ICT), garment and textiles, tourism and financial services.

The two leaders re-iterated their support for the African Union (AU) and NEPAD as vital tools for development and also expressed their determination to support the aims and objectives of regional groupings with a view to promoting regional integration and collective self-reliance.

The communiqu=E9 said the two leaders urged other member states of the AU to continue supporting the ideals and effort of their respective sub-regional groupings, since this institutions represent the main building blocks and means for mobilizing the rich human and natural resource potential of Africa for quick growth.

It said President Kufuor briefed the Mauritian Leader on the security situation in the sub-region and efforts by ECOWAS to restore peace in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau and the determination of the Organisation to also restore peace to troubled La Cote d'Ivoire. The two leaders appealed to the parties in the La Cote d'Ivoire crisis to place the interest of the country's citizens above other considerations and also show commitment to the implementation of the provision of the Makoussi Accord.

It said Sir Jugnauth expressed his admiration for the able leadership of President Kufuor, which in addition to ensuring a remarkable improvement in the country's economy, had also fostered a large measure of stability, peace and security in the sub-region. It said the two Presidents re-affirmed their commitment to peace and stability in Africa and called for the immediate resolution of all conflicts on the continent, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and the Sudan.

The two leaders also expressed serious concern about global terrorism and called on all countries to enforce all existing international treaties on it.

Sir Anerood expressed his gratitude to President Kufuor and the people of Ghana for the warm reception accorded him and his delegation whiles President Kufuor expressed satisfaction with the visit of the Mauritian leader, the communiqu=E9 said.

The Mauritius President who was accompanied by his wife, Sarojini Revi has since left for home.

President Kufuor, some Ministers of State and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ibrahim Omar saw him off at the Airport. 04 July 04