A six-member government delegation led by Mr Samuel Odoi Sykes, National Chairman of NPP, left Accra on Wednesday night for Washington D.C on an invitation by the United States government to witness the swearing in of the 43rd president of the US, Mr George Walker Bush.

Members of the group are Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Minister designate of Trade and Industry, Mr. Kwabena Darko, business executive. Dr Kwabena Adusei, Chairman of the North American chapter of the NPP and two others from the Houston and Canada branches of the party.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in a pre-departure interview at the Kotoka International airport, Mr Odoi Sykes, who is member of the Government Transitional Team, said the invitation was for President Kufuor but due to his busy schedule they are representing him.

He said "this visit is in furtherance of the relations between Ghana and the US to co-operate to bring about the desired development".

Mr. Odoi Sykes said the delegation, which would be away for four days, will be holding bilateral discussions with representatives of both the Democratic and the Republican parties in the Congress.

He said they would be attending a gala on Friday and a lunch and dinner on Saturday in honour of the American President.

Mr. Odoi Sykes said the delegation would also hold a meeting with the Ghanaian business community in the US and see how best they can contribute to "the new golden age of business" declared by President Kufuor.