Envoys present Letters of Credence

Accra, June 24, GNA - Three High Commissioners and an Ambassador accredited to Ghana on Thursday presented their Letters of Credence to President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.

They were, Dr Joseph Olatunji Kolapo, Nigerian High Commissioner; Mr Rapulane Sydney Molekane, South African High Commissioner, Mr Giam Chin Toon, Singapore High Commissioner resident in Singapore and Mr Juan Antonio Mateos Cicero, Mexican Ambassador, also resident in Rabat, Morocco.

They pledged to improve and strengthen the cordial relationship between their countries and Ghana.

Present at the ceremony were Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr Daniel K. Osei, Private Secretary to the President. South African High Commissioner presents Letters of Credence Accra, June 24, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday appealed to South Africa to continue to play her role as the link between Africa and the developed countries.

He said the socio-economic development in South Africa had made it to hold the destiny of the African Continent for development. President Kufuor made the appeal when Mr Rapulane Sydney Molekane, South African High Commissioner in Ghana, presented his Letters of Credence at the Castle, Osu.

He said relationship between both countries in the field of sports had improved tremendously when Ghana assisted South Africa to bid for hosting the World Cup in 2010, while South Africa was assisting Ghana to win the bid for hosting CAN 2008.

Mr Molekane pledged to explore the possibility of establishing a Joint Permanent Commission for Co-operation between both countries. He said the areas to be considered by the Commission would include trade investments, science and technology, agriculture, mineral exploration, education and research, tourism, sports and cultural exchange.

Ghana and South Africa officially established diplomatic relations between them on May 25, 1994. Kufuor stresses need to facilitate trade links between Ghana, Nigeria Accra, June 24, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor, on Thursday stressed the need to facilitate trade links between Ghana and Nigeria. He said the sisterly relations between the two countries had been placed on a very high pedestal, but expressed regret that trade links were not to any appreciable level.

President Kufuor made the call when Dr Joseph Olatunji Kolapo, Nigerian High Commissioner in Ghana presented his Letters of Credence at the Castle, Osu.

He said despite the availability of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Trade there existed trade barriers to Made-In-Ghana goods on Nigerian markets, adding: "We need to facilitate the opening up of trade links between the two countries. Barriers between them should be removed to facilitate the movement of goods and services".

President Kufuor, who is also the Chairman of the ECOWAS, commended the Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo for his unique role in the activities of the Sub-Regional Grouping.

Dr Kolapo commended President Kufuor in his sterling leadership qualities and the maintenance of peace and stability within the Sub-Region.

He pledged to improve on the relationship between both countries, saying: "I will do my best to enhance our relationship".