President Returns Home From USA

Ghana has described the disturbances in Cote D’Ivoire as a jolt to the move to maintain stability in the West African sub-region.

It has however pledged her support for the legitimate government of that country. The President, Mr John Agyekum Kufour, stated Ghana’s position when he briefed newsmen on his arrival at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) after a 12-day visit to the United States of America. The President was met on arrival by his vice, Alhaji Aliu Mahatma, the First Lady, Mrs Theresa Kufour, Ministers of State, members of the Council of State, Service Commanders, Members of Parliament and Diplomatic Corps and a section of the public.

While he was in the United States to attend the 57th regular session of the UN General Assembly he met with the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan and heads of delegations from some countries to the session and visited Salt Lake City in the State of Utah to interact with entrepreneurs in the IT industry. He also interacted with Ghanaian residents there. The President was accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman and other top government officials.

President Kufour expressed regret that while he was far away talking about the relative peace and stability in the sub-region, others were planning to undermine attempts by all African leaders to uphold the tenets of democracy, the rule of law and the supremacy of the ballot box over the gun. He noted that, “I wish to assure all that Ghana will do whatever is within its powers to restore her dignity through the path of democracy and stability.”

Mr Owusu-Agyeman described the trip as eventful and said Ghana has a lot to learn from IT companies in the Salt Lake area. He was optimistic that the benefits that would accrue from the visit would be great and would help to position Ghana as a major player in the IT industry.