President of Ghana visits Malaysia for bilateral talks

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Ghana's President John Kufuor kicked off a four-day official trip to Malaysia Tuesday with a ceremonial welcome at parliament and meetings with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Kufuor received an informal 30-minute visit from Mahathir at his hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The two leaders were scheduled to hold bilateral talks later Tuesday at Mahathir's office in Putrajaya, Malaysia's administrative capital.

The West African leader arrived in Malaysia late Monday with a 27-member delegation that includes government officials and business leaders.

They are scheduled to attend an international business conference starting Wednesday in Langkawi resort island, 270 miles (450 kilometers) northwest of Kuala Lumpur.