Accra, (Greater Accra) 14 July '99,
Parliament today congratulated the government and people of France on the occasion of the French National Day, which falls today, and called for more interactions between the two countries, especially in the field of trade.
Members acknowledged France's contribution towards Ghana's development, especially in education, and commended the people of France for their co-operation with Africa and Ghana in particular, and wished them a happy anniversary.
This followed a congratulatory statement by Mrs Margaret Clarke Kwesie, President of the Ghana-France Friendship Association and MP-Ga South.
July 14 was declared by the third republic of France as a national day in 1880. It also marks the 210th anniversary of the taking over of Bastille by the ordinary people of France to show their displeasure at their king's rule and the beginning of the French Revolution.
Mrs Clark-Kwesie noted that the day not only marked the beginning of the revolution but also ensured the victory of the universal principles embodied in the declaration adopted by the French National Assembly in 1789.
France has since celebrated the day with the national motto: liberty, equality and fraternity.
