Accra, April 26, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Tuesday swore in Dr William George Mensah Brandful, a Career Diplomat, as Ghana's Ambassador-Designate to Japan.

He replaces Mr Kwame Asomoah Tenkorang, who was recalled by the President and is now Director of State Protocol. President Mills described Dr Brandful as coming with antecedents and credentials that made him the right choice for the position. He urged him not to let the recent disaster in Japan affect the relations between the two nations in a negative way.

President Mills asked the Ambassador-Designate to use his office to improve the relations between Accra and Tokyo. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Chris Kpodo, reminded the Ambassador-Designate that Japan was a Development Partner of Ghana, and his appointment presented an opportunity to sustain and improve upon the partnership between the two nations. He urged him to keep the faith with Government and discharge his functions creditably.

Dr Brandful thanked God for the day, and also thanked President Mills for his appointment. He pledged to do his best to strengthen the already cordial relations between the two nations.