Accra, Sept. 24, GNA - Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama on Wednesday described the death of the Finance Minister, Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu as a terrible experience for Ghana.

"It is a sad day for the country," he said during a meeting with the US Ambassador, Mr. Donald Gene Teitelbum at the Osu Castle. An official statement signed by Mr. Kwadwo Mpiani, Chief of Staff and Minister for Presidential Affairs, announced the death of the Minister, in South Africa, after a short illness. Alhaji Mahama described Mr. Baah-Wiredu as a good man who was also his personal friend.

Commenting on Ghana's relations with the US, the Vice President lauded President George Bush for honouring his Ghanaian counterpart, President John Agyekum Kufuor, at a state visit in Washington. He also showered praises on the US for offering Ghana a 350 million-dollar, financial assistance from Exim Bank for the promotion of rural education.

Alhaji Mahama also commended the Bush administration for its initiative on HIV/AIDS and other assistance package for the country. He said Ghana was most grateful and would continue to count on the US for more trade and investment opportunities. Alhaji Mahama praised the democratic credentials of Ghana, which he said had had positive impact on the West African Sub-Region. To deepen the process, he said government was committed to ensure a peaceful, transparent and fair General Election and invited international observers to supervise the event. Mr. Teitelbum expressed the condolences of the US for the death of the Minister.

He also lauded relations between Ghana and the US as warm since the two countries shares the common values of democracy. Mr. Teitelbum expressed the hope that the presidential and parliamentary elections will be peaceful. The winners he said should be graceful whilst the losers should prepare for the next election.