Accra, May 27, GNA - Foreign Minister Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo leaves Accra on Friday for Burkina Faso to attend the 12th Executive Council Session of the Community of the Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) scheduled for Ouagadougou from May 29 to May 30.

A statement issued in Accra by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by Michael Ofori-Atta, Public Relations Officer, said Ghana attended the last ordinary session as an observer, a status granted her as an indication of her intention to join CEN-SAD.

It said Ghana had now applied for full membership of the organisation, which would be considered at the meeting. CEN-SAD, whose membership is made up of 21 countries, including 11 from West Africa, was established in February 1998 as a regional economic grouping.

It aims at accelerating the economic development of its members, while serving as a building block for the achievement of the African Common Market. CEN-SAD with its headquarters in Tripoli, Libya, also aims at fostering peace, security and stability in Africa.