British Minister Meets NPP

Stephen O'Brien, the United Kingdom (UK) Minister for African Development, has paid a visit to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Accra.

He was accompanied by Peter Jones, UK High Commissioner to Ghana and Sally Taylor, Country Director of the Department of International Development (DFID) who were received at the offices of the NPP flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Among the NPP gurus who received and interacted with the UK delegation were the Minority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minority spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Peter Mac Manu, former NPP National Chairman.

Discussions between the two parties centered on UK's aid to Ghana, poverty reduction, biometric voter registration for 2012 elections and Ghana's democracy.

The UK minister urged Ghana to respect the rights of homosexuals, an issue that has received widespread condemnation with the country's religious bodies vehemently kicking against the practice.

Mr. O'Brien, who is a Conservative party MP, acknowledged  the role of opposition in multi-party democracy, adding that the Conservative party itself was in opposition for about 13 years and came to power just last year.

Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu spoke about the role of Minority caucus in Ghana's legislature and its democratic dispensation, human rights, corruption and use of oil revenue to bolster the economy for future generation.

Expressing his appreciation for the visit, Peter Mac Manu urged the UK government to show more interest in happenings in Ghana, particularly the upcoming biometric register and general elections.

He assured the delegation that NPP is working hard to be re-elected in 2012.