Veep calls for international support for Darfur

Accra, Nov. 20, GNA-Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Tuesday called on Switzerland to offer budgetary support to peacekeepers deployed by the African Union to broker peace in war-torn Darfur.

He said Africa was faced with knotty security problems in flash areas like Cote d'Ivoire, but expressed the hope that peace would soon return to Ghana's neighbour to facilitate the deepening of democratic rule.

Vice President Mahama made the request, when he interacted with the Swiss Ambassador, Mr Nicolas Lang, who arrived in the country six months ago, to assume duty, after eight years as peace envoy of his country to the Middle East.

He asked the Swiss government to help reinforce economic relations with Ghana and import more cocoa from the country.

Vice President Mahama said relations between Ghana and Switzerland dated back to the 19th century, when Basel missionaries visited the then Gold Coast to introduce Christianity and secular education.

Vice President Mahama said the Swiss government had been consistent with budgetary support to Ghana, while non-governmental organisations from the country were providing boreholes and humanitarian support to rural communities.

Mr Lang lauded Ghana for being exemplary in the promotion of growth in West Africa.

In a related development the outgoing British High Commissioner, Mr Gordon Wetherell also paid a courtesy call on the Vice President to Ghana after almost four years duty tour.

Vice President Mahama acclaimed the efforts of Britain to assist Ghana to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and the fight against crime and drug trafficking.

He said, there was a global determination to drag the name of Ghana in the muddy waters of drug trafficking.

Vice President Mahama called for British support to build the capacity of Ghana Police Service to combat crime and step up investments to push efforts to offer employment to the youth.

He expressed happiness for British support to the democratic process in Ghana, pledging the determination of Ghanaians to sustain 15 years of democratic governance.

Mr Wetherell praised Ghana for deepening democracy, which, he said was showing in economic development and releasing the energy of Ghanaians.

He also commended Ghana for combating drug trafficking in a transparent and determined manner.

Mr. Wetherell said British had, within the past three years energised its training package for Ghana Police Service, whilst military co-operation and trade relations had also been boosted. His country, he said, was interested to invest in the telecommunications and oil sectors of Ghana's economy.