President Mills returns from Kampala

Accra, July 28th, GNA- President John Evans Atta Mills, returned home this afternoon from Kampala,Uganda, where he attended the 15th Summit of Heads of State and government of the African Union(AU).

He was accompanied by some government officials.

In a brief chat with journalists on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, President Mills said the theme of the summit, "Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Development in Africa," gave the African leaders attending the summit, the opportunity to take a critical look at various strategies that had been taken to develop Africa.

He said the summit also discussed peace and security in Africa adding, whilst Africa was faced with conflicts, "we need peace for development."

President Mills said South Africa was commended for successfully hosting the World cup 2010.

Commenting on goodwill expressed towards the Black Stars of Ghana at the summit for their performance during the World cup 2010, President Mills said , "the stars have made us all proud. They did not only lift high the flag of Ghana but that of the AU as well.

President Mills said he also briefed the summit on the Centenary celebrations of Ghana's founding and first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The President said he also expressed gratitude to the AU for not only accepting his invitation to join in the celebrations, but also declaring the celebration as a Special AU day.

On whether or not Ghana would contribute troops for peace keeping operations in Somalia, President Mills said Nigeria and Ghana had certainly been approached for that adding, the way ahead with that issue would only be clear, after he had held consultations with the military high command.

The issue of sending more troops to Somalia came up, after 76 people who were watching the World Cup 2010 finals were killed in bomb explosions over which Al Shabab, a militant islamist insurgency group which controls most of Southern and Central Sudan has claimed responsibility.

The group said the attack was to punish Uganda for its involvement in the Somali crisis which it (Al-Shabab) believes was against its (Al-Shabab's) interests.

President Mills was met on arrival by the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, Ministers of state, and senior military and police officers.