President Akufo-Addo Meets And Holds Talks With UK PM, May

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Monday held talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street, to strengthen bilateral ties in the mutual interest of their countries.

The President, who is on a three-day visit to the United Kingdom, used the meeting to push Ghana's new posture of moving bilateral relations from dependence to mutual cooperation beyond aid.

An official statement issued to the Ghana News Agency said both leaders also reflected on next year's Commonwealth Summit, as preparations for the Forum intensified.

Prime Minister May, the statement said, congratulated Ghana on her 60th Independence, saying that she and the people of the United Kingdom were 'looking forward to building a sound relationship, and also developing historic ties with Ghana for the next 60 years.'

She said increasing the volumes of trade between the two countries was the key to boosting the growth, progress and prosperity of the countries and their respective populations.

The Prime Minister said next year's Commonwealth Summit, which would be held in London, would present member states with the opportunity 'to grow together', and she was pleased that President Akufo-Addo would be participating in the Summit.

She expressed the hope that during her tenure of office, the United Kingdom would continue to build 'on the strong relationship we have with Ghana.'

President Akufo-Addo thanked the British Prime Minister for the warm welcome afforded him and his delegation.

He noted that despite 60 years of parting company, Ghana and the UK 'didn't part company for good', and that the relations between them had held, regardless of the governments of the day through the years.

The President assured Prime Minister May that, under his leadership, the already strong relationship would deepen.

He expressed the hope that their respective tenures would be marked by the strengthening of the bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of their citizenry.

Ghana, the President said, was looking forward eagerly to next year's Commonwealth Summit, which would provide the opportunity to reinvigorate the Commonwealth around its theme of, 'A Common Future', and make it a dynamic instrument for the growth of the global community in the 21st Century.

He commended the British PM on the decision of the British Government to host next year's Summit.

As part of activities marking his visit to the UK, the President would deliver a speech on "Democracy and Development' at the Cambridge Union Society of the University of Cambridge.

He is scheduled to, on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, speak at an event, organised by the Royal Africa Society, Facebook and the Ghana 60 years on Committee, on 'Africa Beyond Aid', where he would outline his vision for the progress and prosperity of the continent.

President Akufo-Addo would return to Ghana on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.

GNA