Indian, US ambassadors on call Defence Minister

Accra, Nov. 8, GNA - Defence Minister, Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor on Monday requested the Indian High Commission to facilitate the development of the software industry in Ghana as her emerging leadership role in the software industry was globally acknowledged. Dr Addo-Kufuor made the appeal when the new Ambassador, Mr Rajesh Prasad called on him at his office at Burma Camp in Accra to acquaint himself with the Ministry.

The Minister in his discussions with the Ambassador expressed appreciation for the various courses offered by India to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

India trains about four GAF personnel each year in various courses under the India Technical and Economic Cooperation. Dr Addo-Kufuor explained that the GAF was aimed at developing the 37 Military Hospital along the lines of the Army Hospital for Research and Referrals in Delhi, India.

He said the vision of the Ministry was to make the Hospital a teaching, research and referral medical college. The Minister earlier in the year had extensive deliberations with the Indian Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen Arora, when he visited that country in February.

As a reciprocal gesture, Lt. Gen. Arora visited Ghana in June 2005 and issued a positive report on the prospects for the establishment of a medical school in Ghana.

India has also proposed the establishment of a Medical College at the University of Cape Coast.

The Indian Ambassador also pledged to deepen the bilateral relations and mutual co-operations between both countries. In a related development, the new US Ambassador in Ghana, Ms Pamela Bridgewater also called on the Defence Minister at his office as part of her familiarization tour of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

She commended the professional role of the GAF, particularly in the stabilization of the West Africa Sub-Region through peacekeeping. The Ambassador expressed appreciation about the excellent cooperation between the governments of both countries, and between their military establishments.

She pledged to further strengthen the existing relations and to assist in, as well as facilitate future areas of co-operations between both countries.

Dr Addo-Kufuor acknowledged that the GAF had benefited immensely from the US in terms of courses, joint Ghana-US military exercises, training for peacekeeping operations and equipment.