General News of Monday, 21 July 2003

Source: GNA

Visit of Archbishop is an honour- Kufuor

Accra, July 21, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday, said Ghana was honoured to host the Most Reverend Dr Rowan Douglas Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury on his one-week visit to the West African Province of the Anglican Church. He said, " it is a great honour and we are looking forward for the visit".

President Kufuor made the observation when a six-man delegation from the Church led by the Most Reverend Dr Robert G.A. Okine, Archbishop of the Church of the Province of West Africa paid a courtesy call to brief him on the visit at the Castle, Osu.

Most Reverend Dr Williams who is expected in Accra on Wednesday, July 23, would spend three-days and continue to Freetown, Sierra Leone for two-days and a day's visit to the Gambia.

He would then pay a courtesy call on President Kufuor on Thursday, July 24. Most Reverend Dr Okine expressed the Church's appreciation and congratulated President Kufuor on his assumption of office as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). He urged President Kufuor to continue with the good work and the sterling leadership qualities he had shown, adding "we would continue to offer our prayers and support to you".

Born on June 14, 1950 in Swansea, Wales, Most Reverend Dr Williams was elected as Archbishop of Canterbury on July 23, last year and enthroned as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England on February 27, 2003.

He was the first Welshman to be appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury. Other members of his delegation would include his wife Jane, Reverend Jonathan Jennings, Press Secretary, Canon Jim Rosenthal, Communications Officer and Canon Dr Herman Browne, Secretary for Anglican Communion Affairs.