Accra, June 10, GNA - United Friends of Israel (UFI), a Ghana based non-governmental organisation devoted to the establishment of trade, commercial, cultural, scientific and technological links between Ghana and Israel, has been inaugurated in Accra.

UFI, which is the non-denominational wing of the International Christian Israeli Embassy (ICIE) in Ghana, was initiated by Prophet Kofi Oduro Ofori Agyemang-Prempeh to promote peaceful coexistence between Israel and the global community.

In a speech read on behalf of Mr Ehud Barak, Prime Minister of Israel by Mr. Emile Short of the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), he noted that Israel has a lot to share and learn from Ghana and the rest of the world.

He said that Israel is excelling in research and development in medicine and science adding that "we are on the cutting edge of high technology and we are revitalising artistic expression from which we believe the global community can benefit".

He said despite the fact that Israel continues to pursue a difficult path to peace in the Middle East, "we are hopeful that our neighbours will join us in taking the courageous decisions necessary to bring real and secure peace to our people".

Mr Barak said that the Israeli government is confident that its efforts to ensure peace, security, economic well being and co-existence would yield results. He saluted ICIE and other friends of Israel in Ghana and the world for their support in promoting Israeli culture, technology and ideas.

Prophet Agyemang-Prempeh, who is the Secretary General of UFI said that while ICIE is a Christian organisation, UFI is to create a forum for people who have the interest of Israel at heart, notwithstanding their religious background. "UFI seeks to build bridges of peace and harmony between the peoples of Ghana and the state of Israel and also to establish bonds of friendship between our leadership in the executive, legislature, judiciary and media.

"It also seeks to create links between the two countries in the areas of trade, industry, commerce, finance, technology, education, health, agriculture, culture and art". Prophet Agyemang-Prempeh said UFI would seek Israeli support for Ghana's agro-economic, educational and industrial sectors, through the establishment of Ghanaian-Jewish centres, libraries and offer scholarships to Ghanaians to study in universities in Israel.

He said that ICIE is promoting the study of the culture of the two countries adding that representatives of the organisation are teaching "Christo-Jewish" songs in Ghana while some Ghanaian religious songs are being taught in Israel.

Prophet Agyeman-Prempeh called on Ghanaians to join the effort to create a meaningful relation with Israel for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Members of Parliament and representatives of the Jewish community in Ghana attended the function.