Accra (Greater Accra) 24 March ?99
President Jerry John Rawlings left Accra on Tuesday for Paris on a three-day official visit at the invitation of the French government. He was accompanied by the First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman- Rawlings, Mr Victor Gbeho, minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr John Abu, minister of Trade and Industry, and Dr Christina Amoako-Nuama, minister of Lands and Forestry.
Others are the minister of Communications, Mr John Mahama, the deputy minister of Finance, Mr Moses Asaga, and the Chief Executive of Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Mr Kwesi Ahwoi. Briefing newsmen, Mr Annan Cato, Chief Director at the ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the trip will enable the two presidents to discuss issues of international interest, with particular reference to Africa and the sub-region.
He said the visit is expected to develop close working relations between the two countries, as well as increase French support for the sub-region and Africa as a whole. The two leaders will also discuss the issue of stability in the sub-region as well as bilateral Cupertino. He said France's willingness to assist West African countries is fast growing and her support for ECOMOG is a clear indication of her commitment to the sub-region. Despite the potential of the sub-region and ECOWAS protocols, they have not been able to harness its resources due to the so-called division between Anglophone and Francophone countries Mr Cato said. France and the UK are keen on developing a partnership between them and their former colonies to help integrate the economies of countries in the sub-region. The President and his delegation were seen off by Vice-President Evans Atta-Mills, ministers of state, the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police and the Charge d'Affaires of the French embassy in Ghana, Mr Terrence Wills.
