President returns from Jakarta

Accra, April 26, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor returned home on Tuesday afternoon from Jakarta, Indonesia where he attended the African-Asian Summit. He was away for six days.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Foreign Minister, who accompanied the President, told Journalists at the Kotoka International Airport that Ghana attended the Summit to show her solidarity with the Bandung Declaration, which gave birth to the Non-Aligned Movement, 50 years ago. Ghana participated in the Summit to also ensure that it was at the heart of the new African-Asian Partnership aimed at improving the socio-political and economic ties so as to have a stronger voice in World affairs.

Nana Akufo-Addo said President Kufuor also held bilateral meetings with some Asian Leaders and sought the assistance of the Chinese Leader, Mr Hu Jintao to develop Ghana's railway system.

He said President Kufuor's discussion with the Japanese Leader centred on Japan's assistance to Ghana, which would be doubled President Kufuor also sought Japan's support for Ghana's candidature to the African Development Bank.

He said President Kufuor also held bilateral talks with the Thai Leader on the possible exchange of prisoners.

The Foreign Minister said on bilateral relation with the Malaysian Prime Minister, the talk between the two leaders centred on the Ghana Telecom/ Malaysian dispute, in a bid to put the issue behind them to forge ahead in their socio-political development efforts.

He said President Kufuor also met with Mr Kofi Annan with whom he reviewed the security situation in West Africa as well as the proposed reform to the UN body and discussed the security situation in Togo.

The President, who was also accompanied by Mr Daniel K. Osei, Secretary to the President and Mr Kwabena Agyepong, President's Press Secretary, was met on arrival by the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, some Ministers of State, the Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Seth Obeng, Mr Patrick Acheampong, Inspector General (IGP) and the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Mr Ibrahim Omar.