Govt gives support to ailing Madam Fathia

Accra, March 8, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has directed the Ghana Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, to stay closely in touch with the ailing Madam Fathia Nkrumah and extend all the necessary assistance to her.

He said the Government would offer every needed support to the former first Lady of Ghana.

Madam Fathia, who is the widow of the country's first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, is reported to have suffered a stroke. President Kufuor was speaking when Samia Nkrumah, the only daughter of the first President, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu, on Thursday.

She was in the country after 32 years to join in the grand celebration of the country's historic landmark of 50 years of nationhood.

President Kufuor asked the children of the late President to see themselves as daughters and sons of Ghana and assured Samia that they would do all they could to make her stay comfortable.

He said he was happy to welcome her back to the country and told her to feel at home.

Samia conveyed the gratefulness of her family to President Kufuor for the support the Government has been providing to Madam Fathia. "It has been a good visit, I feel very much at home and it is right we are here."

She explained that she was in Ghana for the entire country and not for any particular family.

Earlier, President Kufuor granted audience to a Special Envoy of President Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin, Mr Jocelyn Degbey, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Water Resources.

The meeting was held behind closed-door.