Veep begs Libya's Qathafi for release of Ghanaian jailed 25 years

Vice President John Mahama is in Libya to appeal to the Leader Muammar Al-Qathafi to have clemency a Ghanaian in jail in the north African country for attempting to spread Christianity.

The Ghanaian Daniel Baidoo is said to have already served the first seven years of his 25-year sentence.

He was jailed in 2001 and is serving his term at Jedidah Maximum Security Prison.

Baidoo is one of several hundreds of Ghanaians still languishing in Libyan prisons for various offences.

He is said to have tried to distribute Bible tracks to the Libyans in an attempt to convert them to Christianity.

Vice President Mahama on Tuesday made an appeal through a special Libyan envoy, Dr. Al Sayeed from Libya who called on him in Accra.

Following discussions with the special envoy, Mr Mahama presented a formal letter appealing for clemency through the Libyan Embassy in Accra to the Libyan Leader.

The vice president, meanwhile, is on a three-day official visit to Libya on Tuesday.

Baidoo was arrested at Garyan Post Office in Libya when he collected a parcel said to be containing Bible and Christian literature in Arabic which he had ordered from a Christian organization in the US.

Libya is a predominantly Muslim country and the laws in the country do not permit the practice of any other religion apart from Islam.

A media practitioner Mawuko Zormelo speaking on behalf of Mr Mahama said although the vice president's visit would be to improve diplomatic relations with the Arabian country, there would also be talks to secure the release of Mr Baidoo.

He hinted that Mr Mahama would also use the visit to discuss ways Ghana could partner with Libya to ensure that the country derives maximum benefit from its oil reserves.

Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline