First Lady Returns From Cote d'Ivoire

The First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings has returned home after a four day official visit to Cote d'Ivoire. The visit was at the invitation of the Ivorian First Lady, Mrs.. Henriette Konan Bedie. Nana Konadu was accompanied by a Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mrs.. Cecilia Johnson, the NDC Special Co-ordinator for Special Duties Mrs.. Faustina Nelson, and Mrs.. Edith Haizel of the 31st December Women's Movement. Speaking to newsmen at Kotoka International Airport, Mrs.. Johnson stressed the need for the 31st December Movement to diversify its activities to involve other groups, especially the less fortunate youth in the cities. She said the Movement has already established a Vocational School at Nima, while others are being constructed in Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Ashanti Regions to cater for school drop outs. Mrs.. Johnson said the idea is to assist this group of people to receive free Vocational Training. She said the Movement has identified existing Vocational Institutions which may need assistance for co-operation and sponsorship. According to Mrs.. Johnson, the First Lady went to Cote d'Ivoire with Kodwo Antwi's band to assist her Ivorian counterpart raise funds to sponsor her youth movement at a gala dinner dance.