President Kufuor leaves for Spain

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday night left for Valencia, Spain to attend the 36th annual board of Governors meeting of the African Development Bank and the 27th Session of the African Development Fund.
He was accompanied by Mr Hackman Owusu- Agyeman, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Kwesi Ndoum, Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Integration.
He was seen off at the airport by Vice-President Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State , the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Mr Ibrahim Omar and the acting Inspector- General of Police, Mr Ernest Owusu Poku.
Already in Spain for the meeting are Mr J.H. Mensah. Minister of State and arliamentary Business and the Minister of Finance, Mr Yaw Osarfo Marfo.
Briefing newsmen before departure, the deputy government spokesman, Mr Kwabena Agyepong, said President Kufuor would address a symposium which will preceed the meeting, under the theme "Partnership for African development." Also to address the symposium are President Joachim Chisano of Mozambique and the former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Mr Michael Camdessous.
Mr Agyepong said President Kufuor would take the opportunity to hold bilateral discussions on trade and economics with the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Zamar.
He said Spain has express interest in Ghana's economy, especially in the area of tourism, mining and solar energy.
Currently, the two countries have nine joint ventures and four Spanish-owned businesses in Ghana.
Mr Agyepong said Ghana would use the visit to explore avenues to boost her export to Spain, which has declined from 76 million US dollars in 1997 to 35 million US dollars last year.
Spain's annual economic aid to Ghana totals 16 million US dollars.

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Saturday night left for Valencia, Spain to attend the 36th annual board of Governors meeting of the African Development Bank and the 27th Session of the African Development Fund.
He was accompanied by Mr Hackman Owusu- Agyeman, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Kwesi Ndoum, Minister for Economic Planning and Regional Integration.
He was seen off at the airport by Vice-President Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State , the Dean of Diplomatic Corps, Mr Ibrahim Omar and the acting Inspector- General of Police, Mr Ernest Owusu Poku.
Already in Spain for the meeting are Mr J.H. Mensah. Minister of State and arliamentary Business and the Minister of Finance, Mr Yaw Osarfo Marfo.
Briefing newsmen before departure, the deputy government spokesman, Mr Kwabena Agyepong, said President Kufuor would address a symposium which will preceed the meeting, under the theme "Partnership for African development." Also to address the symposium are President Joachim Chisano of Mozambique and the former managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Mr Michael Camdessous.
Mr Agyepong said President Kufuor would take the opportunity to hold bilateral discussions on trade and economics with the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Zamar.
He said Spain has express interest in Ghana's economy, especially in the area of tourism, mining and solar energy.
Currently, the two countries have nine joint ventures and four Spanish-owned businesses in Ghana.
Mr Agyepong said Ghana would use the visit to explore avenues to boost her export to Spain, which has declined from 76 million US dollars in 1997 to 35 million US dollars last year.
Spain's annual economic aid to Ghana totals 16 million US dollars.