President Rawlings returns home

President Jerry John Rawlings returned home on Monday after a seven-day official visit to Brunei Darusalam, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Mauritius. Nana Konadau Agyeman Rawlings, First Lady, Mr. Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ohene Agyekum, Minister in charge of Protocol and Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs accompanied President Rawlings.

Briefing newsmen on arrival, Mr. Gbeho said, the visit, which was at the invitation of the Sultan of Brunei, was to explore ways of bringing the two countries together for economic co-operation and development.

He said President Rawlings toured two Shell oil fields, where he expressed admiration for the workforce at the rig, which was manned mainly by citizens of Brunei President Rawlings also visited Brunei's new housing estate as well as their traditional settlement. Mr. Gbeho said the Sultan of Brunei has agreed to visit Ghana within the year. In Malaysia the President held bilateral discussions with his Malaysian counterpart on how to strengthen Malaysian investments in Ghana. He was briefed about how Malaysia was able to overcome the economic problems that hit south East Asian countries two years ago.

The President made a stopover at Colombo, Sri Lanka and paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister. Their discussions centered on economic co-operation and the possibility of re-opening Ghana's High Commission in that country.

In Mauritius President Rawlings held discussions with his counterpart and they agreed to develop partnership to enhance the co-operation of their private sectors. At the airport to meet the President were Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs, Ministers of State, some members of the African Diplomatic Corps, Service Commanders and the Inspector General of Police.