Foreign Minister Returns From UK

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman has returned home from the United Kingdom (UK) at the invitation of the Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr Jack Straw.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman told newsmen that he and his British counterpart held discussions on bi-lateral and international relations as well as discussions on combating international terrorism. He said bi-lateral issues, poverty alleviation, HIV/AIDS, and agricultural policies were the main topics of discussion. Mr Owusu-Agyeman said Mr Jack Straw agreed that Ghana's relations with the UK has to be deepened to enhance corporation and trade between the two countries. He said the UK agreed to give Ghana grants totalling 70 million pounds yearly to support her economic development.

The Foreign Minister said he also met the Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Commonwealth Secretary General as well as senior officials of the Department for International Development. He also took the opportunity to meet Ghana's envoys in Europe and briefed them on the current situation in the country. He also held discussions with them on how best to improve trade between some European countries and Ghana. Officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr Rod Pullen, British High Commissioner met him on arrival.