Use culture to strengthen south-south cooperation - JAK

Accra, Sept 6, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Friday urged Ghana and India to use culture and tradition to strengthen south-south cooperation.

"India is an ancient country, which has championed South-South Co-operation and through such co-operation developing countries ought to use its door to enter the global village", he said.

President Kufuor said this at a special musical performance by Ms Penaz Masani, an accomplished India contemporary singer in Accra. The function forms part of a bilateral agreement on Cultural and Scientific Exchange Programme between Ghana and India for 2002-2005. Another performer was Soni Achiba; who has carved a name in the local music industry with India style.

The agreement which, covers areas including Science and Education, Culture and Arts, Mass media and Sports was signed last year during President Kufuor's four-day visit to.

President Kufuor disclosed that the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology would be soon outdoored.

The Centre is to be equipped with modern information technology gadgets by the Government of India.

The India High Commissioner, Mr K. K. Framji in a welcoming address, said the performance is the beginning of an inter-cultural exchange programme between the two countries.

The President of Indian Association of Ghana, Mr Mahesh Mahtani said proceeds from the concert will be used to provide a Mobile Medical Van to assist rural communities.

He said the Association through Vision Forever, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) has already started assisting deprived communities with primary health care.

Present were Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Ministers of States, Members of Parliament, the Diplomatic Corp, and a cross section of Ghanaians.