Accra, Jan. 16, GNA - The Convention People's Party (CPP) on Monday welcomed the First Lady of the United States of America, Mrs Laura Bush to Ghana and expressed the hope that her visit would enhance the image of Ghana and strengthen the already existing relationship between USA and Ghana, which dates to the days of the First President of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

"We also want to use this occasion to appeal to your husband through you not to forget of African and preoccupy his attention on Iraq because Africa's potential is yet to be fully understood and exploited," the CPP said in a statement signed Dr Edmund N. Delle, National Chairman and Leader of the Party.

Mrs Bush arrived in Accra on Sunday with her daughter Barbara for a three-day visit during which she would speak at the Accra Teacher Training College on "Teacher Training and Education" and also visit the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and meet women and girls HIV/AIDS patients. She would later hold talks with President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle.

Mrs Bush, who flew to Monrovia, Liberia, on Monday for the inauguration of Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as President is expected back in Accra on Monday evening.

She leaves Accra on Tuesday to Abuja, Nigeria, where she is expected to meet with President Olusegun Obasanjo, visit a hospital and a school and participate in a roundtable at the National Centre for Women Development.

Mrs Bush, 60, is the second US First Lady to visit Ghana in eight years after Hillary Rodham Clinton, who accompanied his husband, Bill, to Ghana in March 1998. 16 Jan. 06