Ghana to tap into Trinidad and Tobago's rich experience in the oil

industry

From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Port-of-Spain, Aug. 1, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has expressed Ghana's desire to tap into Trinidad and Tobago's vast experience in the petroleum and hydrocarbon industry as the country took steps to ensure best practices in the management of the expected revenue from oil. Oil and gas account for 40 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 80 per cent of export of the Caribbean state.

President Kufuor said it also wanted to see stronger ties developed between the educational institutions of the two countries, particularly the universities and research institutions as well as tourism. He was addressing the 10th Emancipation Awards Ceremony held by the National Association for the Empowerment of African People at the Centre of Excellence in Port-of-Spain, capital city of Trinidad and Tobago. He is the country to join in the celebration of this year's Emancipation Day as the Special Guest of Honour. The event is observed on August 1 every year with joyous street parade and cultural village to commemorate the end of slavery.

President Kufuor said his presence was to re-establish, re-new and re-invigorate the ties that bind the two nations together and to explore new avenues for co-operation in the ever globalizing economy. "Let us resolve to make what was once our tragedy into a force for development", he said, adding that, emancipation should liberate Africans from economic want and under-development. He said inter-dependence had become increasingly necessary in today's world, more so, as developing nations were faced with critical challenges, which threatened to undermine the economic gains made in recent times. He made reference to the triple challenges of climate change, high energy and food cost and asked that developing countries including the Caribbean and Africa should get fully and effectively involved in finding solutions to these problems.

"As our countries put our voices together in order to be heard, we must also strengthen our co-operation in resource development, especially in education, science and technology." President Kufuor called for determined effort to fight the new form of slavery that expresses itself in the form of child trafficking, child labour, bad governance and terrorism. These evils, he said, must be removed in the true spirit of emancipation.

Professor Selwyn R. Cudjoe, President of the Association, spoke of the need for massive mobilisation of black organisations to assist transform the mindset of the black youth, who he said were in deep psychological crisis. President Kufuor, earlier on arrival, was given red carpet welcome.

The Prime Minister, Mr Patrick Manning and his, Ministers of State and the Diplomatic Community were on hand to officially receive him at the Piarco International Airport. After exchange of pleasantries, he was escorted to a saluting dias and as he mounted it, the military band struck the anthems of Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago, while the cannons boomed at the background. He later inspected a military Guard of Honour and treated to spectacular cultural performances that told the history of the country and driven through the streets in a state ride.