Ghana and Benin have stressed the need for greater co-operation and collaboration between them. This according to President John Evans Atta Mills and the visiting President of Benin Thomas Yayi Boni will have positive impact on ECOWAS and the AU and also enable Africa to speak with one strong voice on issues at the international level.

Welcoming President Yayi Boni to Ghana, President Mills said the two leaders will discuss bilateral issues and other developments in the sub-region.

He thanked his Beninois counterpart for honouring his invitation.

The Beninois President who is also the Chairman of the AU thanked President Mills for his leadership in ensuring democracy, rule of law, peace and unity in the sub- region and on the continent.

He also expressed gratitude to the government and people of Ghana and in particular President Mills for proposing and supporting him to become the AU Chairman.

He said their invitation by President Barack Obama to the up coming G8 Summit is another opportunity for the two countries to make a case for Africa.

Meanwhile, President Mills and President Boni are meeting behind closed doors while, their delegations are having a high level technical meeting at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The meeting is focusing on energy and other broader areas of co-operation.

Ghana’s delegation is being led by a Deputy Minister of Energy Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah.

President Boni has for the time being laid a wreath on the tomb of Ghana’s first President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum in Accra.**