President leaves for G77 summit in Havana

President Jerry John Rawlings left Accra on Tuesday for Havana, Cuba to attend the first summit of G77 and China, which opened yesterday.

He was accompanied to the four-day meeting by the first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, Mr Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Dan Abodakpi, Minister of Trade, Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Minister responsible for Protocol and Chieftaincy Affairs and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr Joseph Laryea, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, told newsmen that the summit was first discussed in 1997, in San Jose, Costa Rica during Indonesia's Chairmanship of Group.

He said globalisation, North-South relations, South-South co-operation and science and technology would be discussed. The Deputy Minister said it would adopt a plan of action for developing countries to be tabled before the forthcoming United Nations General Assembly, which coincides with the 55th session of the world body.

He said the summit would provide a platform for developing countries to articulate their vision and goals for development. At the airport to see President Rawlings off was Vice President John Evans Atta Mills, Ministers, Chief of Defence Staff, Lt General Ben Akafia, Mr. Peter Nanfuri, Inspector General of Police, Cuban Ambassador, Mr Jose Perrez Novoa and some members of the diplomatic corps