Accra (Greater Accra), 23rd April 

President Jerry John Rawlings left Accra on Thursday to attend two conferences in the United States. He will be away for a week.

In Denver, Colorado, he will address the national conference of Black Mayors on the potential for viable partnership between the government and major US cities and enterprises in Ghana.

At the conference of the Corporate Council on Africa in Houston, Texas, President Rawlings will receive an award on behalf of Ghana in recognition of the country's tremendous economic strides.

He was accompanied by the First lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, Mr Victor Gbeho, Minister of Foreign Minister, Dr John Abu, Minister of Trade, Mr Moses Asaga, deputy Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Adjei, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Ms Patience Addow, Eastern Regional Minister.

He was seen off at the airport by Vice-President John Evans Atta-Mills, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, Chairman of the Council of State, Lt Gen. Ben Akafia, Chief of Defence Staff, Mr Peter Nanfuri, Inspector General of Police and the US Ambassador, Ms Kathryn Dee-Robinson.