Outgoing High Commissioners bid farewell

Accra, Jan. 7, GNA - Two outgoing High Commissioners on Monday paid separate courtesy calls on President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu, to bid him farewell.

Mr Ali Essa Bangura, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone, and Mr R.N. Prasad, the Indian High Commissioner, are leaving at the end of their duty tour of the country.

Mr Bangura, conveyed the gratefulness of the Government and people of Sierra Leone to Ghana for its support, during and after the country's civil war.

Ghana, he noted, did not only contribute soldiers to the peacekeeping force sent there but also played a key role in the restoration of its shattered social services and infrastructure. He mentioned in particular the reformation of his country's Local Government Administration through Ghana's support and said, "We would forever remain grateful to you." President Kufuor said the two countries had related very well and gave the assurance that Ghana would continue to co-operate and do all it could to assist its sister nation, adding; "We stand ready to support you."

At the turn of Mr Prasad, President Kufuor expressed satisfaction with the warm relations between Ghana and India. The two had related very well not only on the international front, such as the United Nations (UN), Commonwealth and Non-Aligned Movement but enjoyed good bilateral relations.

He said India was proving to be a friend indeed and cited its support for the construction of the Presidential Complex. This was a monument to their lasting friendship.

India provided 30 million dollars towards the project; half of it was a grant and the remaining a soft term loan attracting an interest rate of 1.5 per cent and repayable in 25 years.

President Kufuor also acknowledged the assistance India was extending to Africa through the installation of a Pan-African ICT Network to link all 53 countries in Africa. Mr Prasad said it was a privilege to have witnessed the tremendous socio-economic and political transformation that had taken place in Ghana within the past seven years.

He said he was happy that the relations between Ghana and India had been put on sound footing.

President Kufuor later granted audience to an Envoy of Zambian President Patrick Mnwanawasa, who was in the country to deliver a special message.

Mr. Godrey Musonda, announced that Zambia would open a Mission in Accra, next month, something, President Kufuor said, was good news.