Three Ambassadors present Letters of Credence

Accra, Jan. 26, GNA - Three Ambassadors designated to Ghana on Wednesday presented their Letters of Credence to President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.

They were Mr Lakhal Benkelai, Ambassador of Algeria, Mr Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi, Ambassador of Iran and Mr Pierre Jacquemont, Ambassador of France.

They commended Ghanaians for the peaceful elections, congratulated President Kufuor on his re-election and pledged to improve on the cordial relationship between their countries and Ghana. Among those present was Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ghana committed tightening ties with Algeria - President Accra, Jan. 26, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday said Ghana was determined to strengthen its diplomatic ties with the North African country of Algeria.

"Ghana is always ready to cooperate with Algeria for our mutual benefits," he said.

President Kufuor made the remarks when Mr Lakhal Benkelai, Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, presented his Letters of Credence to the President at the Castle, Osu.

President Kufuor urged Mr Benkelai to contribute towards the development of the fruitful relations.

The Ambassador expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in Ghana, saying the country was a beacon of good governance and the rule of law. France has a major role to play in peace building in Cöte d'Ivoire - Kufuor Accra, Jan. 26, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday reiterated his call on France to use her experience and commitment to socio-economic development in West Africa to maintain peace in C=F4te d'Ivoire.

"France has known Africa and especially West Africa very well and with her affinity to C=F4te d'Ivoire should endeavour to find means to restore that fine country to normalcy," he said.

President Kufuor made the call when Mr Pierre Jacquemont, Ambassador of France to Ghana presented his Letters of Credence at the Castle, Osu.

He said the Government had intensified human resource development as well as the development of the private sector and would need the assistance and partnership of France in all sectors to push its policies and programmes forward.

President Kufuor said language had been a barrier between Anglophone and Francophone countries within the West African Sub-Region and it was being envisaged that within the next 10years to 15 years the barrier would be broken for people to move freely.

Mr Jacquemont said France in her international dialogue on development was raising the issue of income distribution and placing more emphasis on the need for greater equality in economic opportunity for Africa.

He said France's three priority areas for cooperation were a sound policy framework at encouraging the economy with full scope for a vigorous private sector, investment in social development especially in education, primary health care (PHC) and population activities and enhanced participation of all people, notably women, in economic and political life and the reduction of social inequalities. Need to improve relations between Ghana and Iran -Kufuor Accra, Jan. 26, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday stressed the need for improved relations between Ghana and Iran for their mutual benefit.

He said Iran had assisted Ghana in various sectors of the economy "and I want the relationship to be improved and strengthened for our mutual benefit".

President Kufuor made the call when he received the Letters of Credence of Mr Valiollah Mohammadi Nasrabadi, Iranian Ambassador in Ghana at the Castle, Osu.

Mr Nasrabadi said Iran attached great importance to the relations and cooperation with Ghana in both bilateral and multilateral ties. He commended Ghana for the peaceful elections and President Kufuor's sterling leadership qualities that had led to peace and tranquillity within the Sub-Region.