French, Japanese Envoys End Duty

TWO envoys yesterday called on President J.A. Kufuor to say goodbye, after ending their duty tours in the country.

They are Mr Pierre Jacquemot of France, and Mr Masamichi Ishikawa of Japan who have spent three-and-half years and three years, respectively, in Ghana.

President Kufuor commended the French ambassador, who was the first to call, for working hard to improve on the relations between Ghana and France and said the French government has been very supportive of Ghana during his tenure of office.

He recalled the various supports given by the French and said the government of Ghana was particularly pleased with the support for the National Identification Authority which is undertaking a nationwide registration of the citizens of Ghana.

Registration of citizens is the cornerstone of development because development can be well planned when you know your population and Ghana is grateful to your government for that gesture", he said.

Responding to an earlier concern raised by the ambassador about the rampant cutting down of trees in the country, President Kufuor said he was very concerned about that himself and said the problem has arisen because of people's urge to put up buildings for residential accommodation.

He called on Mr Jacquemot to continue to be an ambassador for Ghana wherever he may find himself.

Earlier, Mr Jacquemot described his tenure in Ghana as marvelous and thanked the government and people of Ghana for their support for him.

He said he has witnessed so many developments in various sectors of the economy since he assumed duty in the country.

He, however, called on the government to intensify its development efforts to really put Ghana ahead of others.

At the turn of the Japanese ambassador, Mr Ishakawa, President Kufuor said "you have been an excellent ambassador in Ghana."

During the tenure of Mr Ishakawa, President Kufuor said, he initiated programmes which were now bearing fruits for the country.

He expressed the gratitude of the government and people of Ghana to the Japanese for various support given to Ghana including the assistance for the construction of the Mallam-Yamoransa road.

Mr Ishakawa, thanked the people of Ghana for their support during his tour of the country.