German President Horst Kohler was on Sunday presented with Ghana's highest State honour, the "Companion of the Order of the Star of Ghana", in recognition of his dedication and determination to improving the socio-economic conditions of developing countries.
The honour was also to acknowledge his contribution towards the strengthening of the bonds of friendship and co-operation between Ghana and Germany.
President J.A. Kufuor conferred the honour on him at the margins of the "German-Africa Partnership Forum" held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra.
A Citation read by the Foreign Minister, Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, said as a long-standing friend of Ghana and Africa, he demonstrated keen interest in addressing the continent's concerns about the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) policies, which he was a former Managing Director.
"Indeed you worked tirelessly to facilitate the removal of the extreme heavy debt burden on developing countries, particularly Africa.
"It was in this regard that you contributed to the attainment by Ghana of the benefits of the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative and the subsequent achievement of debt forgiveness for this nation, a contribution deeply appreciated by Ghana."
It noted that his election to the highest office of President of the Federal Republic of Germany in July 2004 was an expression of his country's deep appreciation of his services to the German people and mankind.
President Kohler said he was deeply touched by the honour, and thanked President Kufuor and the people of Ghana for the conferment of the State award.
He pledged his determination to work to strengthen the friendship, goodwill and co-operation between Ghana and Germany.
President Horst Kohler has since left Accra on Sunday afternoon for Berlin after his four-day State
visit to Ghana.
His wife Eva-Luisa Kohler and a delegation of over 100 accompanied President Kohler.
During his visit the German President held bilateral talks with President John Agyekum Kufuor and met Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene.
President Kufuor; senior government officials; members of diplomatic corps and senior service personnel saw off President Kohler at the Kotoka International Airport.
Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Festus Mogae of Botswana; Faure Gnassingbe of Togo; Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and Dr Yayi Boni of Benin who also attended the Forum were also seen off by President Kufuor.
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