General News of Tuesday, 12 August 2003

Source: GNA

Ghana commends Germany

Accra, Aug. 12, GNA - Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister of Defence, on Tuesday commended Germany for her immense contribution towards the construction of the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAPTC) in Accra.

He said the government was grateful to the German government for resources it has provided to the country in education, road construction and health.

He lauded the cordial relationship between the two nations, adding that the Ghanaian government would continue to explore the existing bonds to the mutual benefit of the two countries.

Dr Addo-Kufuor said this when Mr Peter Lynder, the new German Ambassador designate to Ghana paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Burma Camp.

The Minister appealed to the German government to send qualified medical personnel such as radiographers, surgeons and other paramedical staff to impart their knowledge to their Ghanaian counterparts, especially those at the '37' Military Hospital.

The Minister said Germany's support for government has seen some level of improvement than was the case in the last twenty years.

Mr Lynder, who before assuming duty in Ghana was his country's ambassador to Nigeria, said he was happy to be in Ghana to strengthen the already cordial relationship between the two nations.

He said the visit was to deepen the understanding that already existed in between the two countries in military cooperation.

Mr Lynder said the Deputy German Defence Minister would be in Ghana to participate in the official inauguration of the KAPTC, which would be completed by the end of October. Present at the meeting was Lieutenant Colonel Seth Obeng, Chief of Defence Staff.