General News of Monday, 6 August 2007

Source: GNA

Kufuor holds talks with US Deputy Commander

Accra, Aug 6, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday met with General William Ward, Deputy Commander of the US European Command, at the Castle, Osu, to discuss ways of strengthening military co-operation between the two countries.

General Ward had earlier held separate meetings with the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Joseph Boateng Danquah, Defence Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah and the Minister for National Security, Mr Francis Poku and said it was "part of efforts at getting to know the leadership substantially."

"We want to have a clear understanding and appreciation of what Ghana brings to the stability of Africa and to reinforce the friendship."

The US General re-affirmed his country's commitment towards assisting to enhance the military capability of the Ghana Armed Forces to help it to become more robust.

President Kufuor said Ghana was looking forward to co-operating with the US for their mutual advantage.

Africa, he said, was seeking partnership to achieve peace and security and cited challenges in Sudan's Darfur region and Somalia that needed to be addressed.