Accra, June 2, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday urged Dr Sam Jonah, President of AngloGold Ashanti Limited to live up to expectation in his new role and bring credit to the African Personality. He said, "make this multinational company and its branches become aware that Africans stand equal to anyone in terms of quality of service, transparency and merit in your work to bring credit to Ghana to assume her rightful place in globalisation."

"You have distinguished yourself in your career and your elevation to such an enviable position is no mean achievement for you and us as Ghanaians," he added.

President Kufuor made the call when Dr Jonah paid a farewell call on him at the Castle, Osu.

Dr Jonah assumes duty in South Africa next week as the President of the Company, which is one of the world's largest mining companies with a market capitalisation of about 10 billion dollars.

AngloGold Ashanti operates 22 mines in 11 countries including Ghana, Brazil, the US, Australia, Mali, Guinea and South Africa.

The Management of AngloGold of South Africa and Ashanti Goldfields Company (AGC) of Ghana concluded agreement for the merger in April this year after negotiations had begun in 1999.

President Kufuor said the Government was proud to play its role to achieve the merger, saying, " we are proud to have a role in the merger that was achieved with Ghana's stake in the mining sector".

He said with the new position, Dr Jonah has assumed an ambassadorial status and the Government would offer the needed assistance and support to him to perform creditably.

President Kufuor announced that in appreciation to the honour for the country, Dr Jonah was to be issued with a Diplomatic Passport to enable him move around the globe in a fitting manner.

Dr Jonah, overwhelmed by the Government's gesture was lost for words but said he would not only work for the interest of the Company but Ghana as well.

He said Ghana was the beneficiary to a merger with a major gold mining company and commended the Government for the courageous ambition it exhibited during the negotiations.