White House ready to host President Mills

The White House is ready to host President John Evans Atta Mills of Ghana, office of the USA Press Secretary stated in a statement made available to the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday.

“President Barack Obama looks forward to discussing cooperation on a host of other bilateral, regional, and multilateral issues, and deepening our bilateral partnership with President Mills,” the statement said.

It said President Mills would hold a meeting with his host in the Oval Office on Thursday, March 8 where the two Leaders would use the opportunity to discuss shared objectives in advancing development, as well as the commercial and economic ties between Ghana and United States.

The US considered the visit of President Mills as an opportunity to reciprocate the warm hospitality that President Obama, the First Lady and US officials received during their visit to Ghana in July 2009.

President Obama in 2009 made Ghana his first trip to Africa since becoming President of the United States, where he addressed Ghana’s Parliamentarians.

Meanwhile Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has described President Mills' visit to the US as giant step in Ghana and US relations.

He said Ghana considered the US as a strong ally and strategic partner, and both nations recognised a mutual co-operation in advancing the interests of their peoples.

Speaking to the GNA on President Mills' trip to the US, the Foreign Affairs Minister said the invitation extended by President and Government of the US, was a strong indication of the recognition of the US of Ghana's march for democracy.

He said the two nations shared a long history of promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Alhaji Mumuni said the President's visit affirmed Ghana's commitment to an open door foreign policy and that Ghana was in no way pandering to the East with its procurement of the Chinese development assistance.

Ghana, he said, would continue to welcome nations with common interests, to bring accelerated development and improve upon the lives of the people.

The Foreign Affairs Minister recalled the visits of US Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush Jr and Barrack Obama in the recent past, and said the reciprocal visit of President Mills was a feather in the cup of Accra and Washington.

He said it would also consolidate their relations at the economic, political and economic levels.

President Mills is expected back home on March 13.