President Mahama to visit Iran

Accra, Feb. 13, GNA - President John Dramani Mahama, would from Sunday, February 14, pay a state visit to Iran in consonance with other world leaders who have been to Tehran in the immediate post-sanctions era.

President Mahama, who would be visiting Tehran at the invitation of President Hassan Rouhani, will hold bilateral discussions and address a joint press conference on Sunday.

A statement from the Flagstaff House Communications Bureau and copied to the Ghana News Agency said the two leaders would also preside over the signing of Memoranda of Understanding and attend an Official Luncheon in honour of President John Mahama.

President Mahama according to the statement would also meet the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei and hold discussions with the Speaker of Majlis (Parliament), Dr Ali Larijani.

The statement said Ghana and Iran have a long standing relationship as members of the Non-Aligned Movement.

It said in 2014, during a visit to Ghana by former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the two countries established a Permanent Joint Commission.

With seven Iranian companies investing over $8.6 million in the Ghanaian economy, President Mahama would at a Business Forum in Tehran push for more Ghana- Iran Business Collaboration, with Ghanaian entities exploring export markets in Iran.

Ghana would be seeking partnerships in rice farming and processing, agro-processing and mining, to expand production and export to Iran.

Iranian investments in Ghana have so far been in the manufacturing sector, with two new Iranian companies establishing businesses here in Ghana.

President Mahama would visit a power plant and meet with Ghanaians in Iran before returning to Accra.

GNA