Accra, July 4, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, on Sunday lauded the Black Stars for lifting high the flag of Ghana at the on-going FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

He observed that although the stars had done their best, in foot ball, as in any other game, one team certainly had to loose to for the other. President Mills gave the commendation when he interacted with journalists at the Kotoka International Airport, when he returned from Cape Verde, where he attended the 38th Ordinary Session of ECOWAS Heads of State. He said the loss of the Black Stars in their last match did not in the least erase the fact that they had given off their best, not only to the admiration of Ghanaians but the entire African continent. President Mills said the great performance of the Black Stars showed that the future held great promise for them, so far as excellent performance is concerned.

He urged Ghanaians to honour the Stars and welcome them appropriately saying, "the least we can do is to appreciate them". Touching on a paper he presented on the private sector during a special ECOWAS-Brazil summit, President Mills said the private sector played a very supportive role within the economy.

He said there is the need for the government to support the sector to bloom by putting in the right measures. President Mills said the meeting was very useful and held a number of benefits for the country.

The summit saw the confirmation of Mr Victor Gbeho, Presidential adviser on Foreign Affairs as President of the ECOWAS Commission. At the airport to meet President Mills, was Vice President John Dramani Mahama, Ministers of State and other dignitaries of the State.