President Kufuor commends Britain for support to Ghana

Accra, April 6, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday commended Britain for her substantial support to the socio-economic development of Ghana, especially for the past three years.

He said, government therefore, looked forward for more assistance to improve the living standards of Ghanaians.

President Kufuor made the commendation when Mr Gordon Wetherel, British High Commissioner accredited to Ghana presented his Letters of Credence at the Castle, Osu.

He said: "Your predecessor Dr Roderick Allen Pullen distinguished himself as a very good envoy and played a major role in this assistance and I hope you would emulate him and improve on the British assistance to Ghana." President Kufuor said Britain had also endeared herself to the African Continent and played a leading role within the G8 in the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Initiative geared towards democratic rule and Africa to take its initiative for socio-economic development.

Mr Wetherel said there had been a very positive relationship between Ghana and Britain, not only at the bilateral level but on regional and international issues.

He said records available indicated that assistance from the Department For International Development (DFID) had ensured a remarkable improvement in the living standards of the people, especially those in the Northern parts of Ghana.

Mr Wetherel said, "during my tenure of office, I look forward with more confidence for action than discussions on the key issues and give them the meaningful push for success".

Ambassadors Present Letter Of Credentials

Ghana, Ethiopia have a common cause to free Africa - JAK

Accra, April 6, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said Ghana and Ethiopia had a common cause to free the African Continent and ensure its socio-economic development.

He said both countries had goodwill on bilateral relations, politically and internationally but trade relations between them had not been very good. "I hope trade relations between both countries would be improved for the mutual benefit of our peoples", he added.

President Kufuor made the observation when receiving the Letters of Credence of Mr Ato Cham Ugala Uriat, Ambassador of Ethiopia in Ghana at the Castle, Osu.

He commended Ethiopia for her unique role in the emancipation of the African Continent and its development being the headquarters of the AU since its inception as well as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) Initiative.

"It is a credit to the government and people of Ethiopia that Africans see Addis Ababa as our nerve centre to come together and discuss issues affecting the Continent", he said.

Mr Uriat expressed appreciation for his appointment to Ghana, a country that had been in the forefront of Africa's struggle for freedom and also at a time when peace, stability and democratic governance prevailed.

He said there was no doubt that the transparent and stable process for the general elections was nothing than the result of the great effort by the government to transform Ghana into a democratic and prosperous nation. "The people of Ethiopia would derive considerable inspiration and lessons from the tremendous transformation which has taken place in Ghana within the last three years", he said.

Mr Uriat pledged Ethiopia's commitment to work in co-operation with Ghana to strengthen the African Union (AU) and the need for popular participation in the NEPAD Initiative that envisages Africa's development within the context of a global and free market economy.

The Ethiopian Ambassador said, " The government and people of Ethiopia hope that the ensuing years would see the intensification of co-operation in all fields for the mutual benefits of our peoples."

Mr Uriat, before his appointment was Ethiopia's ambassador in Uganda.

Ghanaians and Nigeriens live comfortably and peacefully-President Kufuor

Accra, April 6, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said the historical bonds of friendship between Ghana and Niger had continued and people from both countries live comfortably and peacefully.

He said relationship between both governments had been cordial and manifested in the people for their mutual benefit.

President Kufuor was receiving the Letters of Credence of Mr Hassane Ali Toure, Ambassador of Niger in Ghana at the Castle,Osu. He called on the new Ambassador to ensure relationship between both countries improved.

Mr Toure pledged the commitment of the Nigerien government to foster links of friendship and cooperation as well as support to the efforts by Ghana to maintain peace and stability within the West African Sub-Region.

He expressed optimism that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) under the Chairmanship of President Kufuor, peace, stability and development would prevail within the Sub-Region.

Belgium to finance the modernisation of Ghana laboratories

Accra, April 6, GNA- Belgium is to finance the modernisation of laboratories for clinical analyses in Ghana.

Mr Willy De Buck, Belgian Ambassador in Ghana who announced this on Tuesday did not give details but said the Belgian government took the decision to provide a state loan for the project last month.

Mr De Buck based in Abuja, Nigeria was presenting his Letters of Credence to President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.

He said negotiations for the establishment of an Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement between the Belgian Luxembourg Economic Union and Ghana was finalised last year and the treaty would be signed soon.

Mr De Buck commended Ghana and ECOWAS Chairman President Kufuor for the efforts to maintain peace and stability within Cote D'Ivoire and the Sub-Region.

President Kufuor said the good will that had existed between Ghana and Belgium should be translated into a meaningful one for the mutual benefit of their peoples.

He called on the Belgian government to ensure assistance to all African countries for and effective socio-economic development.

President Kufuor commends Sweden for her assistance to developing countries

Accra, April 6, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday commended Sweden for sustaining development in developing countries. He said Sweden had also been acknowledged as playing a unique role in maintaining peace and security as well as socio-economic development in Africa.

President Kufuor made the commendation when receiving the Letters of Credence of Mrs Birgitta Holst, Sweden's Ambassador in Ghana resident in Abuja, Nigeria at the Castle, Osu.

He said Ghana, in particular had benefited immensely from Sweden in the provision of electrification for the people and peacekeeping missions embarked upon by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in all parts of the world. President Kufuor said with Ghana's limited resources, Sweden had offered more assistance to enable troops from Ghana contribute in restoring peace and stability to most troubled areas in the world.

Mrs Holst said Sweden's foreign policy was governed by long-term vision of a peaceful world in which human rights and gender equality was respected and where everyone had access in democratic forms to a reasonable livelihood within sustainable parameters of environmental exploitation.

She said Sweden had played an active part in African issues related both to liberation from the colonial powers to poverty reduction on the continent and in supporting the democratisation process.

Mrs Holst said Sweden was determined to promote a strong African role in the international community and Swedish security policy in Africa was to contribute to measures of conflict prevention and resolution.

On trade relations, Mrs Holst said Ghana was in the forefront of many African countries that were showing impressive economic growth and were encouraging increased foreign trade.

"We have witnessed a steady increase in trade between both countries. Today Ghana is one of the highest ranking trading partners in Africa. I will do my best to encourage partnerships between Swedish and Ghanaian business communities", she added.