Mills calls for greater economic co-operation between sister African nations

Accra, Sept. 2, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Wednesday urged Ghana's sister African nations to forge greater economic co-operation and partnership to improve the living standards of their people.

He assured the diplomatic community in Ghana that Government was creating a new and better environment in the interest of economic alliance with the ideals of the African Union for mutual benefits. President Mills made the call when four new ambassadors, three from African countries and one from Sweden, accredited to Ghana, presented their "Letters of Credence" to the President at the Osu Castle in Accra.

They were Mr Cecil Holmes, Zambia's Ambassador; Mr Ackah Emmanuel Auguste, Cote d'Ivoire Ambassador; Ms Angela B. Colley, Gambian Ambassador and Mr Per Lingarde; Sweden Ambassador. President Mills reminded the African Ambassadors that with the liberation struggle for political emancipation over, the focus was now on the promotion of economic partnerships on the Continent to promote intra African trade and investment. The President congratulated them on their appointments. President Mills said Ghana's relationship with Zambia dated back to the 1950's and 1960's during the African liberation struggle when Ghana's first President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah and his counterpart Dr Kenneth Kaunda played very prominent roles. He expressed appreciation to the Zambian Government for naming a Training College after Dr Nkrumah.

Ambassador Holmes, expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Ghana for the warm reception and hospitality accorded him since his arrival in Ghana four months ago. He said with oil find in Zambia, both countries would work together and share experiences in the oil industry. President Mills, speaking French, said ''je vous remercie' to warmly welcome Mr Auguste, the new Ivorian Ambassador to the Castle. He expressed appreciation to President Laurent Gbagbo for the warm reception accorded him during a working visit to La Cote D'Ivoire last April.