Accra, March 3, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills has given credit to the political parties for making democracy flourish in Ghana, and called on them to collaborate with Government to improve upon the lives of the people.

He stressed the need for the parties to co-operate to build a much stronger nation and show the outside world that no one has a singular right over the people. Power, President Mills said, was rather invested in the people. President Mills made the remark in Accra on Wednesday when a delegation from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), made up of General Secretaries and National Chairmen of the political parties in Parliament, accompanied by Mr Roel Von Meijenfeldt, Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute for Multi-party Democracy paid a courtesy call on him at the Osu Castle in Accra.

President Mills said political parties could not be separated from governments, which were their by- products. He commended the IEA for its contribution to the growth of democracy in Ghana, and gave the assurance that his Administration would work hand in gloves with it to build a Better Ghana. President Mills said the path of democracy Ghanaians had chosen should be followed to its logical conclusion. Mr Meijenfeldt praised Ghana for its democratic credentials and said he was at the Castle to pay the President a visit, and congratulate him as an old friend.

He commended the liaison among the political parties in Ghana; and observed that such partnership had helped in the democratic development of the advanced countries.

Dr Jean Mensa, Executive Director of IEA, commended President Mills for his commitment to the advancement of multi-party democracy. She said the IEA recognised that Government was working on the Funding of Political Parties Bill, to finance the parties and the initiation of a constitutional review.

Dr Mensa said Mr Meijenfeldt has interacted with some of the members and experts working on the review of Ghana's 1992 constitution.