Ghanaian President Arrived in the Island for Three Day Visit

President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor arrived in the island yesterday to begin a three-day working visit. He is the second Head of State from that country to visit Jamaica. The last leader from Ghana to visit Jamaica was Flight Lieutenant Jerry Rawlings, who visited in the late 1990s.

Bordered along the North Atlantic Ocean in Western Africa, the Republic of Ghana is situated in the sub-Saharan region of the continent.
Ghana is a country of tropical climate, and its name is derived from the medieval Ghana Empire of West Africa. Ghana was the title of the kings who ruled the kingdom.
Based on a government of constitutional democracy, the nation gained its independence in 1957 from British rule.

Ghana is blessed with natural resources such as gold, platinum and copper, all of which earn foreign exchange for the country. Ghana also benefits from its agricultural sector, with crops ranging from cocoa and coffee to sugar. Oil, tea, and cotton are also produced in the country.
Ghana has a population of 20 million, and the capital is Accra. The official language spoken in the republic is English, but there are other languages spoken throughout the country. They include, Akan, Nzema, Koma, Mampruli and Hanga. President Kufuor will be accompanied in his delegation by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nana Akfudo Addo, and Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kyerematu.

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson will host the President this evening at a private dinner. Both leaders will engage in bilateral talks on Wednesday morning, which will be followed by a press conference.
Other engagements will include a courtesy call on the Governor-General His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Howard Cooke on Tuesday morning and a courtesy call in the afternoon by Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Bruce Golding.

A priority for the President will be a tour on Tuesday afternoon of the JAMALCO facilities at Halse Hall, Clarendon.
President Kufuor will depart on Wednesday afternoon.