Ghana?s Ambassador to the Russia Federation, Air Vice Marshall Edward Apau Mantey (Rtd) was among eight new foreign ambassadors who presented their Letters of Credentials to the Russia?s President Vladimir Putin in a colourful ceremony in the Kremlin on Thursday.

He was accompanied by senior embassy officials.

Receiving all the ambassadors in the Grand Kremlin Palace, President Putin heartily congratulated them on the start of their individual diplomatic tour and added that it was an opportunity to contribute immensely towards the enrichment of bilateral cooperation between their countries and Russia as well as forging closer cultural friendship among the Russian people.

?I would like to confirm that our country intends to engage in a productive dialogue and the very widest range of international cooperation. Russia is a consistent supporter of equal partnerships and respect for each other's interests,? Mr. Putin said at the ceremony. ?And based on this reasoning and on international law we aspire to create a more secure and safer world. To do so we are using all forums and channels for cooperation ? both bilateral ones and those within international organizations.?

President Putin also stressed that he intends to use Russia?s presidency to resolve pressing problems of this century and would enlist the support of the international community in this regard. He mentioned priority areas as energy security, education and the struggle against diseases.

?We are favour of solidarity action by the international community in these areas,? Mr Putin stressed. ?We expect that such cooperation will give a new dynamics to the global economic development and significantly increase the quality of life for millions of people on the planet.?

Air Vice-Marshall Mantey (Rtd) who appeared in traditional attire and with a pair of ?stool sandals? to match, attracted the attention of the Russian President. The Russian national television channels showed Ambassador Mantey prominently in the news programme.

While still smiling broadly before he received Ambassador Mantey?s official Letter of Credentials written for him by the Hon President John Kufour, the Russian President said there was the need for Russia and Ghana to vigorously expand relations in the existing spheres and develop new viable areas for cooperation.

?We give great value to developing friendly ties with the Republic of Ghana,? he said and added ?We intend to effectively build on our experience to continue the political dialogue, and to search together for new forms of mutually advantageous cooperation in the spheres of the economy, culture and education.?

Mr Putin concluded that he hoped the ambassadors would use their professional experiences to raise relations up from their current levels, redirect their efforts and energy towards building exemplary international partnerships necessary for the prompt achievement of the goals which are most important for mankind.

Ambassador Mantey had, in a space of two months, called on both African and Western Ambassadors, attended official ceremonies and well seen representing his country. Air Vice-Marshall Mantey has already won admiration among his colleagues for his credible and meaningful diplomatic rhetoric and interactive posture compared to his timid and bureaucratic predecessor, Major-General Francis Mahama (Rtd), who was recalled by Hon. President John Kufuor.