Kufuor thanks Britain for support for military

Accra, Sept. 22, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday expressed Ghana's appreciation to the British Government for its support and training facilities for the Ghana Armed Forces. He said Ghana was also grateful for the quality of training received by its soldiers, who attended the top British Military Training Institution at Sandhurst.

President Kufuor said this when a delegation from the British Armed Forces paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu. Mr Adam Ingram, British Minister for the Armed Forces, was the leader of the delegation.

President Kufuor said the focus now was to develop the Ghana Air Force and suggested a joint venture between Ghana and Britain to help to achieve the purpose.

He said the upgrading of the Air Force was critical for peacekeeping.

Mr Ingram said the two countries had a longstanding friendship and they were in Ghana to look at what they could do together to deepen the co-operation.

He said they were impressed by the quality of training at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre at Teshie in Accra adding: "It is a wonderful facility."

Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence and Major-General Joseph Boateng Danquah, Chief of Defence Staff, accompanied the delegation. 22 Sept. 05