Accra, June 11, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills, has appealed to Germany to assist Ghana with its energy needs and provide at least 4,000 of the 5,000 megawatts of power needed in the medium term. He also requested for German technical assistance for the development of Ghana's road and rail network, with an assurance to investors and development partners that Government would create conducive environment that would be mutually beneficial. President Mills, however, asked investors and development partners to comply with the rules and regulations of Ghana. The President made the appeal when Mr Armin Laschet, German Minister for Family, Women and Intergeneration, led a delegation, including Ghanaian-born German footballer, Gerald Asamoah, from North Rhine-Westphalia to pay a courtesy call on him at the Osu Castle in Accra.

President Mills said the vision of Government was anchored on the pillars of job creation, investing in people, investment in infrastructure and running an open, honest and transparent government. He said the reason for which Government was elected into office was to improve on the standard of living of the people, and government viewed any Ghanaian/German partnership as very important, which would inure to the mutual benefit of the two countries. President Mills said Government felt proud that the delegation selected Ghana as a point of its first visit under a collaborative programme between Germany and Africa, and assured the delegation that Ghana would do all it could to justify that decision. Mr Laschet, who is also European Member of Parliament for North Rhine-Westphalia, actor in the programme, was accompanied with people from universities and experts from different fields. He said since the programme was started in 2007, there had been a lot of projects. Mr Laschet underscored the need for strengthening the links between the two countries. 11 June 09