President leaves for Durban to attend Commonwealth Summit

Accra. Nov. 11, GNA - President Jerry John Rawlings left Accra on Thursday for Durban, South Africa, to attend the Commonwealth Head of State summit slated for November 12 to 15. The First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, accompanied him. Foreign Minister Mr Victor Gbeho is already in South Africa attending the ministerial meeting that precedes the summit. The three-day summit, which is under the theme "People-centred development, the challenge of globalisation", also marks the 50th anniversary of the Modern Commonwealth.

The meeting will discuss global issues on trade, investment and development and deliberate on political and economic issues including democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law. It is also expected to elect a new Secretary General for the association. Special reports from several Commonwealth bodies will receive the attention of the summit that seeks to strengthen co-operation among them.

According to Mr Joseph Laryea, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, it is expected that the meeting will find appropriate solutions to the challenges of the current era and ensure that the association remains relevant in its agenda for the next millennium. At the Airport to see off the President and his entourage were Vice-President John Evans Atta Mills, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumiah, Chairman of the Council of State, some ministers of state, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Ben Akafia, and some members of the African Diplomatic Corps.