Ghana Strikes Deal With Nigerian Govt

THE Nigerian Government has expressed its readiness to provide Ghana with crude oil under a long term credit facility.

This followed talks between a Ghana Government delegation led by the Vice-President, Professor J. E. Atta Mills, and Nigerian authorities at Abuja on Monday.

According to a Ghana News Agency (GNA) report, the talks marked a significant breakthrough in a series of exchanges spearheaded by Prof. Mills to obtain relief in the current foreign exchange squeeze on the country in the wake of the global crude oil crisis.

The two sides agreed that officials from Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Nigeria Petroleum Corporation should meet and speed up modalities for delivery to begin immediately.

The Ghana delegation included Mr Kofi Totobi Quakyi, Minister responsible for National Security; Mr Victor Selormey, a Deputy Minister of Finance; Mr Simon Abingya, Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy; the Chief Executive of TOR, Dr Yaw Akoto; and Mr J. Y. A. Kwofie, Ghana's Ambassador to Nigeria.

The meeting also discussed bilateral issues with special focus on the two countries’ leading role to fast-track integration of the West African region.

Vice-President Mills told the meeting that his government was determined to brave the current external pressures on the Ghanaian economy in order to improve the life of the ordinary citizen.

“It is necessary that we remove all impediments on our way in order to attain our democratic and developmental aspirations," he stated.

He said the cost of petroleum products has significant impact on the life of the people, especially in non-oil producing countries, and that government did not want to increase prices, because that could result in further hardships.

"There are difficulties. The issue is important because it involves the daily activities of the people," he said.

He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian authorities for showing goodwill and continued support towards Ghana's stride to improve the socio-economic lives of her people.

Prof Mills said the consistency in Nigeria's support to Ghana is an ample testimony of that country's commitment to contribute to democracy and development of peoples in the region.

The Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, recalled the relationship between his country and Ghana, saying it has reached a significant level in the development of the sub-region and must be further cemented, so that together the two can speed up the integration process.

"Our belief is that African integration is necessary and must be realised," he said.

He said his country has high expectations for the upcoming presidential and parliamentary polls in Ghana and stands ready to contribute meaningfully, if called upon, to bring about a peaceful transition and the continuation of the country's enviable democratic process.

Earlier on arrival at the Namdi Azikiwe Airport, Vice-President Mills and President Olusegun Obasanjo held private discussions believed to have centred on economic and bilateral issues as well as developments in the sub-region.

The Ghanaian delegation has since returned home. — GNA.