Kufuor lauds his foreign trips as a big success

In spite of the criticisms that greeted his foreign trips, Kufuor has lauded them saying they were good pursuits that had established good relations between Ghana and the international community.

President Kufuor, who was delivering his Second State of the Nation Address to Parliament, said his one-year administration had been able to improve relations with the country's neighbours to ensure that Ghana enjoyed peace and stability.

"I am happy to be able to tell you that Ghana is at peace with all her neighbours. The mutual suspicion that used to characterise the relations with some of our immediate neighbours has been dramatically abated," he said, smiling broadly to acknowledge cheers from the packed house.

President Kufuor said the past year also saw relations between Ghana and the rich industrial nations reaching new heights of friendship and co-operation. "I received invitations from practically each and everyone of the leaders of these nations and was able to visit only just a number."

He said Ghana had benefited from good relations and enthusiastic support for the past year from the United Nations and its agencies, the Bretton Woods Institutions and other multilateral agencies.

He commended them for their support when the country opted for the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

President Kufuor said Ghana had assumed her historic role as a major player on the African continent and congratulated Dr Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Member of Parliament for Bimbilla on his election as Executive Secretary of The Economic Community for West Africa States (ECOWAS).

He also congratulated Un Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan on his re-election for a second-term and for winning last year's Nobel Peace Prize.

President Kufuor condemned the September 11 terrorist attack on United States that killed more than 3,000 people including Ghanaians and promised that Ghana would assist in efforts at ridding the world of terrorism.