President Mills returns from Japan

Accra, Oct. 3, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, returned home this afternoon from Japan, after a state visit to that country. He was accompanied by some government officials.

Speaking to journalists on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport, President Mills expressed gratitude to the governments of both China, which was his first country of visit during his trip, and Japan, for their immense cooperation, as well as the warm welcome they accorded him and his entourage.

He said the trip was very beneficial to Ghana, adding that a number of businessmen from both China and Japan had expressed keen interest to invest in Ghana.

President Mill said he was particularly pleased with the restoration by the government of Japan, of the Yen loan to Ghana. He recounted that the Yen loan to Ghana was cancelled after Ghana decided to go HIPC.

President Mills said a number of loans and grants were agreed upon, adding that, details of those agreements would, at the appropriate time, be explained to the nation.

Commenting on a large number of people, who were at the airport to meet him, clad in NDC party colours and singing his praises, President Mills said those people, reminded him of the need to ensure, that loans such as the ones he had gone to secure for which he was being praised, had to be used to better the lot of every single Ghanaian.

He said loans had to be used in ensuring the progress of the individual as well as promoting socio-economic progress, adding that, this was the exact intention of his government.

A large crowd thronged the Kotoka International Airport to meet President Mills. Clad in NDC colours, they held placards that bore inscriptions such as, "President Mills style gives billions for development," "This is proper leadership style. One trip brings 16 billion."

At the airport to meet President Mills was the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama, Ministers of State, as well as senior military and Police Personnel.