Rawlings holds banquet for Jamaican Premier

Accra, Nov 18, GNA - President Jerry John Rawlings on Wednesday night said that Ghana and Jamaica have embarked on fruitful co-operation since his official visit to the Caribbean nation two years ago.

President Rawlings visited Jamaica in August 1997, as the Special Guest for the celebration of Emancipation Day, which marks the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834.

''Today, Ghanaian nurses are working alongside their Jamaican counterparts in Jamaica. Also, as a result of the co-operation agreements that were concluded during my visit, it is gratifying to observe that the Ghana/Jamaica Joint Commission has now become a reality''.

He was speaking at a banquet in honour of Mr Percival James Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica, who concludes a three-day visit to Ghana on Thursday.

President Rawlings noted that more significantly, the visit laid the foundation for mutual co-operation and enhanced the prospects of the countries competing effectively in today's globalised market.

''We need to learn from each other's experiences in the process of economic and political transformation of our respective countries to avoid repeating mistakes, which will slow down our progress".

President Rawlings expressed the hope that discussions between the Ghana and Jamaican delegations would motivate the private sectors of the two countries to take advantage of available opportunities.

''On our part, we are ready to welcome investors and entrepreneurs from your country who are interested in sectors such as tourism and agriculture''.

President Rawlings said Ghana was pleased with the ''principled position taken by your country and other sister Caribbean countries against attempts to undermine the unity and cohesion of the ACP member countries during the on-going post-Lome 1V negotiations''.

He gave the assurance that West African countries would work with Caribbean nations to retain the unity and integrity of the ACP framework for development and global co-operation.

Mr. Patterson in an emotional response said he has been moved by the reception accorded him since his arrival. He said it was indeed a welcome ''reserved for a brother. A son who is home at last''.

Black Jamaicans trace their ancestry to Ghana. Their forefathers were taken to the Caribbean Island to work in the mines and on sugar cane plantations during the era of the slave trade.

On relations between the two countries, he said "Rawlings and Patterson would come and go but the friendship between Ghana and Jamaica must remain".

President Rawlings conferred the state honour of Companion of the Order of the Volta (Honorary Division), on him in recognition of his "contribution to the advancement of developing countries and the strengthening of the historical ties between Africa and the Caribbean''.