President Kufuor returns home

...after two weeks abroad
Accra, Aug. 11, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor returned home on Sunday night after a two-week official visit to Trinidad and Tobago where he was the special guest of honour at the 2008 Emancipation Day celebrations, and Beijing, China, for the opening of the Olympic Games. Briefing journalists at the Kotoka International Airport, Mr Andrew Awuni, Presidential Spokesperson and Press Secretary to the President, said whilst in Trinidad and Tobago, President Kufuor held bilateral talks with his counterpart as well as the Prime Minister.

He said the discussions mainly centred on how best Trinidad and Tobago would lend Ghana their rich experience in oil and gas exploration, adding that a delegation was expected soon in Ghana from that country as a result of the discussion.

Mr Awuni said the visit also strengthened the relationship between the two countries.

On President Kufuor's visit to China, Mr Awuni said he took the opportunity to hold discussions with the Chinese government, which had approved a 600 million-dollar loan for the construction of the Bui dam. He said out of the visit, a company known as Polytechnologies promised Ghana assistance in patrolling the coast.

Mr Awuni said officials of the China Investment Bank were also expected in Ghana to explore investment opportunities, following talks between officials of the Bank and President Kufuor.

At the airport to meet the president were the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, ministers of state and senior military and police personnel.