Kufuor appeals for humanitarian support for Liberia

Accra, July 28, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday called for donor support for Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) engaged in maintaining peace in Liberia. He said; "in Liberia, the situation now is humanitarian support for those of us in the frontline maintaining peace. Whatever support donors would provide will be appreciated," he added.

President Kufuor made the call when Lieutenant-General Rob Fry, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Commitments) of the United Kingdom, currently on a visit to Ghana, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu. He said the visit of Lt-Gen Fry was significant because Ghanaian troops had been deeply involved in peacekeeping operations worldwide and it was appropriate for him to have a first hand information on the needs of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF).

President Kufuor said the relationship between the Ghanaian soldiers and their British counterparts had been good because professional soldiers pride themselves in the long training they had had from Britain. "It is good to have relationship that builds our military with financial, technical and training support," he said. President Kufuor said on the military front Ghana had a lot to be proud of from her relationship with Britain adding that currently more Senior Ghanaian soldiers were on courses in that country.

Lt-Gen Fry said the professional reputation of Ghanaian troops was very high and the conduct of the people had made Ghana the beacon of peace, stability and democracy in the West African Sub-Region. He said British warships would arrive in Ghana next week to continue with their training programme with the Ghana Armed Forces.