General News of Sunday, 31 August 2014

Source: GNA

President Mahama receives three envoys

President John Dramani on Friday received letters of credence from three envoys who are beginning their duty tour of the country for the next few years.

They are Mr Dimitry Y. Suslov, Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Babikir Elsiddig Mohamed Elamin, Sudanese Ambassador and Madam Dan Nana Aicha Dan Ladi, Nigerien Ambassador to Ghana.

President Mahama, who received their letters, said Ghana would leverage her relations with all the countries that had partnered Ghana in her development agenda.

On Russia, President Mahama praised the military co-operation that had existed between the two countries since independence.

He said apart from providing the Ghana Armed Forces with four helicopters, Government was also working out with the Russian Government to establish a helicopter servicing centre in Ghana.

President Mahama said Ghana and Sudan had had better relations, but that would be strengthened when Ghana opened a mission in the North African country in the coming years.

He said Ghana had contributed tremendously towards the maintenance of peace and stability in the crises and gave the assurance that a permanent joint co-operation would also be initiated. "The co-operation will be in the areas of Education, Transport, Agriculture, Science and Technology, Youth and Sports and Environment," he said.

On Niger, President Mahama commended the government for contributing military forces to Mali and northern Nigeria in the current terrorists attacks by Boko Haram.

He expressed satisfaction that Ghana was instrumental in the commercial activities of Niger especially in the production of foam mattresses, canned tuna, and exportation of shoes and other products.

Mr Suslov, Russian Ambassador, said he would use his duty tour in Ghana to facilitate the establishment of better relations between the two countries.

Mr Elamin, Sudanese Ambassador, promised to strengthen relations with Ghana in the areas of culture and education during her duty tour of Ghana. Madam Dan Ladi, Nigerien Ambassador, pledged to leverage co-operation in the areas of energy and transport.

Mr Naoto Nikai, out-going Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, was also at the Presidency to announce the end of his duty tour of the country and pledged to continue with the good relations he had initiated.