Accra, Sept. 5, GNA - The Minister of Defence Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor on Friday expressed the hope that Ghana would be given training and more access to South Africa's military technology.
Proposing the toast at a lunch in honour of the visiting South African Defence Minister, Mr Mosiua Gerard Patrick Lekota in Accra, Dr Addo Kufuor said this would make Ghana more effective in her peacekeeping role.
Dr Addo Kufuor noted that a number of officers of the Ghana Armed Forces have attended various courses at the South Africa National Defence College, while some South African officers have also received training in Ghana.
The Minister said currently South Africa has about 31 diverse investments in Ghana, including about 17 in the services industry such as the installation and servicing of mining equipment, domestic airline services, reinsurance, drilling and mining consultancy, marketing and distribution of petroleum products.
Besides, two South African companies have invested in the manufacturing of textiles and digitally printed advertising. Dr Addo Kufuor said there were many Ghanaian professionals such as lecturers, doctors, teachers, accountants and administrators working in South Africa.
The Minister said trade between the two countries has improved from 58.23 million dollars in 2001 to 175.63 million dollars in 2003. Mr Lekota, who arrived in Ghana on Thursday for a three-day visit was the guest of honour at a graduation ceremony at the Ghana Military Academy and Training School at Teshie.
