The Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, MP, has said that “Ghana values its relations with the UK and will continue to work towards improving existing bonds of friendship between the two countries” Hon. Owusu-Agyemang made the comment during a courtesy call on the Rt.Hon. Jack Straw, British Foreign Secretary and the Commonwealth during a four-day official visit to the UK.

He said the people of Ghana appreciate the level of co-operation and assistance the Government of Great Britain had given Ghana over the past decade and expressed the hope that the ensuing years will see a substantial increase in the level of such assistance.

In his comment, Mr. Straw welcomed Ghana’s decision to join the NEPAD Implementation Committee and to volunteer for the African Peer Review Mechanism. He expressed the hope that Ghana would build on this involvement and play a greater role in African issues particularly on NEPAD , Zimbabwe and Cote d’Ivoire.

The two Foreign Ministers discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual concern including assistance for the training of Ghana Foreign Service Officers and immigration matters. The role of the Africa Peer Review Mechanism in promoting democracy and good governance in Africa and developments in Cote d’Ivoire were also discussed.

They also deliberated on the need for globally concerted action to combat international terrorism.

Mr. Jack Straw welcomed the progress “Ghana is making to combat global terrorism but urged swift processing of compliance with the UN Counter-terrorism Committee’s requirement for member states to implement anti-terrorism measures.”