Veep meets Thai counterpart on bilateral relations

From Nana Kodjo Jehu-Appiah, GNA Special Correspondent, Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 29, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama on Tuesday won the heart of the Thai Government to boost technical cooperation with Ghana in the spirit of South-South cooperation. He used his one-and-half-hour meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Surakiart Sathirathai in Bangkok to explain why the two developing countries should share expertise in cassava and fish production with emphasis on tuna in Ghana for the economic advantage of the two countries.

Mr Yaw Asamoa Buabeng, Special Assistant to the Vice President, disclosed this to journalists after a closed-door meeting at Thailand's State House.

He said Ghana was also tapping Thailand's expertise in the larg-scale production of anti-malaria and anti-retroviral drugs to boost the fight against malaria and HIV/AIDS, respectively. Thailand is currently producing anti-malaria drugs in Gabon, Tanzania, The Gambia, Senegal and Mali.

Also on the drawing board is to get Thailand to capitalise on its immense expertise in the textile industry to invest in Ghana's Free Zone Project to benefit from the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which ensures ready market for textiles from Africa in the US. Mr Buabeng said the Vice President also sought the assistance of Thailand to boost works on the Accra-Kumasi trunk road and other infrastructure development projects.

Another issue of interest to Ghana is to see the Ghana-Thailand Trade Commission come into fruition in October 2006. Mr Buabeng said Ghana was also seeking technical assistance to initiate a social housing scheme for inner city dwellers. The scheme involves the provision of soft loans to beneficiaries to be able to rehabilitate existing structures and rebuild or construct new homes.

Vice President was earlier on the guest of honour at the Grand Palace of Thailand's Monarchy, which also accommodates the Emerald Buddha Temple, revered by 85 per cent of Thai Buddhists. The Palace, which has an area of 218,400 square metres, was built in 1782 and is one of the tourist attractions in the country. The public monument comprises Government offices, the Royal Chapel of the Emerald Buddha, a reception chamber where royal paraphernalia are kept, a library and galleries.