Ghana will observe Africa Day, formerly OAU Day, as a public holiday in a show of attachment and commitment to the spirit and objectives of the union, Foreign Minister Hackman Owusu-Agyemang said on Wednesday.

He said President John Agyekum Kufuor believes that African Day deserves recognition in line with efforts by leaders to work together for the development of their peoples.

However, Parliament will have to ratify the President's proposal to celebrate the day, May 25, as holiday.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang was speaking with a delegation of the Diplomatic Corps, led by Mr Ibrahim Khalil Omar, Ambassador of the State of Palestine, shortly before they went into a closed meeting.

The meeting was to explore new areas of strengthening ties between the government and the Diplomatic Corps.

The Minister paid tribute to members of the Diplomatic Corps saying individually, they have shown good faith with the government in its search for good policies for development.

"They have always shown that they are there for us," he said citing the government's decision to opt for the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative as one that has received tremendous support from the diplomatic community.

Mr Owusu-Agyemang spoke about President Kufuor's recent trips abroad and said they were aimed at promoting investment and in some cases, good neighbourliness.

He said the President intends to continue with the trips. "There are a few visits to be made again before the end of the year. So far things are working out and we're beginning to see results."