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President Kufuor leaves for
Netherlands
Accra, Oct 19, Ghanadot/GNA – President John Agyekum Kufuor
left Accra on Sunday for a three-day state visit to the
Netherlands at the invitation of Queen Beatrix, beginning
Tuesday October 21 to Thursday 24 October.
The President would address a joint session of the Dutch
Senate and the House of Representatives.
A statement signed by Mr Andrew Awumi, Press Secretary to
the President and Presidential Spokesman, released to GNA
before the Presidents departure, said the long standing
relations between Ghana and the Netherlands will be reviewed
as well as other high level meetings with key officials of
the Dutch Government including Prime Minister Jan Peter
Balkenende.
It said Queen Beatrix will receive President Kufuor and
First Lady Theresa at an official ceremony at the Noordeinde
Palace, where the presidential delegation will take
residence for the period of the visit.
The statement said a business meeting, to be hosted by the
Dutch Trade Minister and Chairman of Economic Affairs at the
De Bazel Conference Center, will afford the presidential
delegation a direct interaction with top executives of the
Netherlands industry and employers.
It said other features of the visit include a wreath laying
at the Dutch National Monument in memory of heroes of World
War Two, a study tour of the Sitos facilities (an
international soft commodity logistics company, with special
focus on cocoa and Vitens-Evides, the largest drinking water
company in The Netherlands.
From The Netherlands President Kufuor will go to the United
Kingdom where as a guest of the Royal Institute of
International Affairs he will be decorated with the
prestigious Chatham House Prize for 2008, by the Duke of
Edinburgh.
Chatham House announced last month the selection of
President Kufuor in recognition of his positive role in
mediating conflicts in Ghana's immediate neighbours
including Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire.
The selection was also due to his contributions to the
growth of Ghana’s the economy, social freedom and the
development of a free press.
At the airport to see President Kufuor off were the Vice
President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Ministers of state, Chief of
Defence Staff, Lieutenant General J.B. Danquah and Inspector
General of Police Patrick Acheampong.
The President is expected back home on October 28.
GNA
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