Accra, May 11, GNA - The visiting Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanamasa would lay a wreath at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum on Thursday as part of his five-day State visit to Ghana.

A programme released for the visit said President Mwanamasa would hold bilateral talks with his host President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu.

Later in the day President Mwanamasa accompanied by his wife Maureen, would tour the hydro-electric generating plant at Akosombo and a State Banquet would be hosted in their honour in the evening. On Friday May 13, President Mwanamasa and his entourage accompanied by Vice President Aliu Mahama would fly to Kumasi and visit Anglo-Gold Ashanti at Obuasi and be hosted to a dinner by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

On Saturday, Asanteman Council would organize a grand durbar in honour of President Mwanamasa before he returns to Accra the same day. President Mwanamasa ends his visit on Sunday after signing a joint communiqu=E9 with his host. He would depart for Tripoli, Libya, for another four-day State visit before returning home on May 18.

Do not forget role of traditional rulers - Mwanawasa

Accra, May 11, GNA - Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa on Wednesday called on politicians not to forget the role of traditional rulers in national development. He said they gave inspiration, guidance and blessing therefore, "whatever respect is required should be accorded the traditional rulers."

President Mwanawasa made the call when addressing a durbar of chiefs of the Ga Traditional Council at the Ga Mantse's Palace in Accra as part of his five-day state visit to Ghana. He said the Zambian Government was in the process of amending the country's constitution to restore the respect of traditional rulers who played an important role in the advice they offered on customary and traditional laws.

President Mwanawasa said traditional rulers should be given the power and respect they required because whatever concerned the government for socio-political and economic development were the concerns of traditional rulers.

"It is important that traditional rulers are regarded as stakeholders in Africa's development."

President John Agyekum Kufuor said Accra represented the gateway to Ghana and it was therefore appropriate for his visitor to pay a courtesy call on custodians of the country's traditions and customs. Nii Adote Obuor II, Sempe Mantse and Acting President of the Council, said since Gas were preparing towards Homowo and there was a ban on noisemaking, they could not show their rich culture through drumming and dancing. However, the turnout of the chiefs in their traditional custom bore testimony of their tradition and custom. He expressed appreciation of the chiefs for the visit and expressed the hope that it would further strengthen the cordial relationship that had existed between both countries. The Sempe Mantse wished the Zamabian President a blissful stay in Ghana.

The two Presidents signed the visitors' book and presented cash to the chiefs. President Mwanawasa and his host also visited the National Cardio-Thoracic Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. They were met by Professor Kwabena Frempong-Boateng, Chief Executive of the Hospital, who briefed and them and took them round the Centre.

The two Presidents later went on a state ride through some principal streets in the Accra metropolis to the Castle, Osu where they had private discussions. 11 May 05