South Africa, Namibia pays tribute to Nkrumah

Accra, Aug. 29, GNA - President John Evans Atta-Mills, has said the governments of South Africa and Namibia had paid glowing tribute to the efforts of Dr Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's First President, in the emancipation of both countries from colonialism.

The President, therefore, asked Ghanaians to endeavour to do something positive that they could be remembered for. President Mills was addressing the press at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Sunday when he returned from his official visit to South Africa and Namibia.

He said: 93I felt very proud to hear those remarks about the role Dr Kwame Nkrumah played. Each of us should do something we would be remembered for. We should ask ourselves 91what are we doing for posterity".

President Mills said his deliberations with the governments of the two countries were fruitful, and Ghanaians would soon realise the results as South Africa declared its intension to have a meaningful partnership with Ghana.

Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs, said President Mills signed five agreements with the government of South Africa in the areas of tourism, diplomacy and politics, military, security and investment.

The Minister said in Namibia, the President signed agreement an between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Namibia and South Africa in the area of political and diplomatic consultations, and other on mutual exemption of visa requirement for holders of official and diplomatic passports.

This, Alhaji Mumuni said, would be a first step towards total liberalisation of travel between the two countries.

The Minister said President Mills met with the Ghanaians in South Africa and Namibia, where he emphasised the need to build on the excellent bilateral relationships between Ghana and both countries. Alhaji Mumuni said the President told the audience among other things that although Ghana, Namibia and South Africa had attained political freedom, it was time for the countries to join hands in the fight to attain economic emancipation.

Journalists wee told that the President was the guest of honour at Namibia's Heroes Day, which was celebrated to remember the heroes of Namibia, who lost their lives in the struggle for the country's independence. President Mills was met on arrival by the Vice President John Dramani Mahama, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Alhassan, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Lieutenant-General Peter Augustine Blay, Chief Of Defence Staff, Mr. Koku Anyidoho, Director of Communications at the Presidency as well as service commanders.