President Kufuor begins 3-day US visit

From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, GNA Special Correspondent, Washington DC

Washington DC (US), April 11, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday arrived in the United States' Capital, Washington to begin a three-day official visit at the invitation of President George W. Bush. The visit is seen as recognition of Ghana's growing international stature and her stable democracy and good governance credentials. It also reinforces the warm relations between the two countries.

President Kufuor is accompanied by his wife Theresa; Foreign Minister Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; Minister of Public Sector Reforms, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom; Mr D.K. Osei, Secretary; Dr Charles Mensah, Special Advisor and Mr Kwabena Agyepong, Press Secretary, all to the President. The highlight of the visit would be a face-to-face meeting between President Kufuor and President Bush at the Oval Office, White House on Wednesday April 12 2006 to discuss a number of bilateral and security issues in the West Africa Sub-Region.

President Kufuor would also hold talks with Mr John Hewko, Vice President of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, on the status of Ghana's Millennium Challenge Account Compact and meet with Dr Cindy Courville, Special Advisor to President Bush on African Affairs and Director at the US National Security Council.

Mr Anthony Williams, Mayor of Washington DC; Mr Rob Portman, US Trade Representative, Mr Randal Tobas, Administrator of USAID and Mr Melvin Watt, Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, would pay separate courtesy calls on President Kufuor.