Lord David Howell, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and UK Government Minister, with lead responsibility for Commonwealth issues is on a visit to Ghana from April 18-20.

A statement issued by Ms Patience Folley, Communications Officer, British High Commission in Accra, said: "With his visit coming at a crucial point in the discussions on Commonwealth Modernization, Lord Howell will take the opportunity to discuss a range of Commonwealth-related issues with the Ghana Government, in addition to a broader set of foreign policy matters.

"Lord Howell will set out the UK’s objectives for Commonwealth reform at an event at the High Commission on Thursday, April 19."

It said, Lord Howell would have meetings at Parliament, during which he will acknowledge the UK-Ghana inter-Parliamentary links strengthened by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Lord Howell will consider energy and security issues during his visit and discuss Ghana’s long-term plans for the use of her oil reserves and the development of a wider energy sector with the Ministry of Energy, and with business representatives during a visit to Takoradi.

While in Takoradi, Lord Howell will have the opportunity to receive a briefing on the potential for the development of Takoradi Port, and pay a courtesy call on the Chief of Essikado.**