President Kufuor leaves for Spain

President John Agyekum Kufuor left Accra Wednesday evening for Madrid, Spain, to attend a conference on Democratic Transitions and Consolidation" slated for October 26 and 27.

The two-day meeting, which is at the invitation of His Majesty Juan Carlos I of Spain, is being organised by the Spanish Foundation for International Relations and Foreign Dialogue in conjunction with the Gorbachev Foundation.

The President is being accompanied by the Foreign Minister Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister at the Presidency and Mr Daniel K. Owusu, Ambassador at Large.

Briefing journalists at the Airport, Mr Kwabena Agyepong, Deputy Government Spokesman said about 20 world leaders especially those who have gone through smooth transition are expected to attend the meeting to be chaired by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

The Spanish Prime Minister Jose Marion Aznu is expected to open the meeting.

Mr Agyapong said while in Spain the President will hold bilateral talks with the Spanish government on a wide range of issues.

Already in Spain is the Deputy Finance Minister, Mrs Grace Coleman, who is negotiating a 100 million-dollar package promised Ghana during the maiden visit of President Kufuor early this year.

The package is expected to go to the tourism, agriculture, fisheries, energy and education sectors.

The President and his entourage were seen off at the Airport by the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Ministers of state, National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. Joshua Hamidu, and members of the diplomatic corps.