Accra (Greater Accra) -President Jerry John Rawlings on Tuesday appealed to oil companies not to take undue advantage of Equatorial Guinea's small size to illegally exploit its oil resources.

He said a few years ago, some multi-national oil companies based in Nigeria were virtually stealing Equatorial Guinea's oil and he (President Rawlings) had to speak to the late Nigerian Head of State, General Sanni Abacha, about it, adding: "General Abacha intervened and the practice stopped".

President Rawlings said this when an envoy from President Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea delivered a special message to him at a meeting at the Castle, Osu.

Foreign Ministry sources said the message centred on bilateral and multilateral issues.

"It is our hope that proceeds from the oil would be used to enhance the living conditions of the people of Equatorial Guinea," President told the envoy.

Mr Victor Gbeho, Foreign Affairs Minister, said Equatorial Guinea and Ghana have enjoyed good relations over the years and it was unfortunate that Ghana had to close its embassy there for economic reasons.

"But the closure has not affected our relations and this is demonstrated by the large number of Ghanaians who work in Equatorial Guinea."

Mr Lucas Nguema Esona, Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture, who delivered the message, said collaboration between Equatorial Guinea and Ghana is getting stronger.