President Mills calls for more regional integration

President John Evans Atta Mills yesterday received Letters of Credence from three new envoys to Ghana, with a call for increased regional integration.

"We need to facilitate the free movement of people and goods across our borders to increase trade and investments for the benefit of our peoples," he said.

Those who presented the Letters were Ms. Ntombizodwo Msuthukazilallie, South African High Commissioner; General Toumani Sissoko, Malian Ambassador, and Widhya Bhoolsuwan of Thailand.

President Mills congratulated the envoys whose letters he received separately, on their appointment and hoped that their tenure would further enhance the relationships between Ghana and their respective countries.

He said it has become increasingly necessary for the countries to build close ties to enable countries to work together to address global challenges such as the financial crisis, adding, “We need to come closer to ensure that we explore ways of making the best use of the resources we have.”

President Mills commended South Africa for its lead role in the development drive of the continent, and lauded the collaboration between her and Ghana.

He pledged Ghana's commitment to enhancing the bilateral relations between them and wished South Africa well as it goes to the polls.

With regard to Thailand, President Mills was happy about the increasing trade investment in Ghana but noted that there was more room for improvement.

He called for the launching of the Ghana-Thailand Joint Commission for Cooperation established in 2006 but which was yet to become operational, to create a platform to encourage trade between the private sectors of Thailand and Ghana.

The envoys, in their respective remarks, thanked the President for welcoming them to Ghana, and pledged to do their best to further improve the relations between their respective countries and Ghana.