President Kufuor Arrives In Malaysia

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday arrived in Kualur Lumpur, Malaysia on a three-day state visit. Accompanied by his wife, Theresa, President Kufuor was met on arrival by Mr Dato Seri Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment and had a brief discussion at the VIP lounge. A government official told the Ghana News Agency that President Kufuor is leading a high-powered delegation from the private sector to study the exploits of Malaysia that had made it an economic giant in the Far East. It will also strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
The delegation includes, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Felix Owusu Agyepong, Minister of Comunications and Technology and Kwamena Bartels, Minister of Private Sector Development.
The rest are Nana Otuo Serebour II, Juabenhene, Member of the Council of State and an Industrialist; Ishmeal Yamson, Chairman of UNILEVER; Dr Charles Mensah, Resident Director of VALCO and Mrs Elizabeth Villars, President of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI).
During the visit, President Kufuor would visit the Malaysian Parliament, hold discussions with the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and his Majesty the Yang di-Pertian Agong of Malaysia. After the state visit, President Kufuor would participate in the Sixth Langkawi International Dialogue, which begins on August 1 to 3 in Malaysia.
The dialogue is aimed at promoting Smart Partnership Practice among governments, business financiers, the workforce, media and other interest groups for accelerating economic growth and maintenance of economic stability. Ghana joined the Smart Partnership Community in 1997 when it participated in the South Africa International Dialogue hosted by Botswana.
Speaking to newsmen on arrival, President Kufuor said the visit was to afford his team to learn about how fast Malaysia, which gained independence with Ghana in the same year had developed so much and continued to develop. He said the country was blessed with a visionary leadership, which had moved the country forward, adding "we hope to go away with an insight into the way they had directed the vision of their leaders, the technique and wisdom of Malaysians".