President Kufuor begins official visit to France

President John Agyekum Kufuor left Accra on Wednesday night for Paris, to begin a week's official visit to France, at the invitation of President Jack Chirac.

The President was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Finance Minister, Mr. Yaw Osafo-Mafo and the Minister of Economic Planing and Regional Integration, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom.

Briefing newsmen before departure, Mr. Kwabena Agyapong, Deputy Government Spokesman said the visit is to further strengthen the existing cordial relationship between the two countries.

He said Ghana has been selected as one of the non-French speaking African countries by France in other to enhance economic and trade relationship between the two countries.

He said during the visit of President Kufuor, the two countries would sign a 10-million dollar grant for the improvement of roads in the Northern Sector of the country.

Mr. Agyepong said the visit is also expected to be used to extend the level of debt forgiveness to Ghana and also to re-negotiate for conceptional loans.

The Government Spokesman said President Kufuor would hold discussions with the French Prime Minister and the President of the French Senate as well as visit French Institute of International Relations.

The President would also meet the Ghanaian community and continue to Norway to witness the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize to Mr. Kofi Annan, the United Nation's Secretary General.

Ministers of State, the IGP, saw off the President. Mr Ernest Owusu Poku and the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Mr. Ibrahim Omar.