Accra, Aug. 10, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday called for a partnership between the governments of Ghana and Iran to tap the rich experience of Iran in oil exploration and production.

"Considering your immense experience in both on and off-shore oil exploitation, I will suggest that we have an effective partnership that will equip Ghanaians with the technical know-how in oil production."

Vice President Mahama made this suggestion when a delegation of Iranians led by Dr Sadigh Khalilian, Minister for Jihad Agriculture in the Islamic Republic of Iran, called on him at the Castle, Osu, to outline areas of cooperation with Ghana.

The delegation is on a two-day visit to Ghana to cement some of their bilateral discussions held years back and to create opportunities for cooperation in Agriculture, Health and Education.

Vice President Mahama commended the Iranian government for sponsoring Ghanaian students in several sectors and called for the expansion and extension of the programme to train more Ghanaians in oil exploration and exploitation to augment the staff engaged in the country's oil exploration.

"The Islamic University in Ghana is one of the landmarks of the Iranian government, which had over the years admitted a lot of students from all religions, and as for the Iran clinic, it has become a household name in Ghana."

He also appealed to the Iranian government to help Ghana establish a permanent Hajj Board in view of their vast experience in the organization of such programmes in their country over the years.

Dr Khalilian commended Ghanaians for their 2008 peaceful elections, which he said encouraged them to hold more bilateral discussions for the benefit of both countries.

He announced that his government was ready to partner Ghana in the areas of Agriculture, health, education, roads and energy sectors and invited both the President and the Vice President to visit his country to conclude those agreements tabled on the floor between their leaders.

"We are interested in carrying out a number of collaborations with African countries and we really want Ghana to be one of our major partners," he said.