Clinton to visit Ghana Mar. 22

THE United States President, Bill Clinton will pay a historic visit to Ghana and four other African nations from March 22 to April 2.

The other African countries are Uganda, South Africa, Botswana and Senegal.A release issued by the US Information Service (USIS) in Accra yesterday said the visit will enable President Clinton to highlight the growing US partnership with Africa.

According to the release, the visit will also be used to promote a peaceful resolution of current conflicts in the region as well as encourage greater respect for human rights.President Clinton's visit to Ghana is the first ever by an American President.

The highest ranking American official to have visited Ghana was the late President Nixon, then Vice President, when he attended Ghana's independence in 1957.

The Ghana Government, in response, has welcomed President Clinton, his wife Hilary and their high-level entourage to Ghana, assuring them of the traditional Ghanaian warmth and friendship.

A statement issued in Accra by the Foreign Ministry said the Government of Ghana welcomes the announcement from the White House that the President of the United States, Mr Clinton, will visit Ghana as part of a five-nation visit to Africa in March.

"The visit will afford the presidents of Ghana and the United States the opportunity to exchange views on bilateral and African issues and also strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries", it added.