SECRETARY-GENERAL ARRIVES IN GHANA
Press Release
SG/T/2004
SECRETARY-GENERAL ARRIVES IN GHANA
19951127 The following was received from the Spokeswoman travelling with the Secretary-General:Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali left New York on Saturday, 25 November, for visits to Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Benin and Cote d'Ivoire.
At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, 26 November, the Secretary-General arrived in Accra for a four-day official visit to Ghana. The Secretary-General was welcomed by the Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs Paul-Victor Obeng Asuellas, and the Foreign Minister, Obed Asamoah.
In a press conference at the airport, the Secretary-General stated that his visit was aimed at reinforcing the relations between Ghana and the United Nations. He also wished to express his gratitude to President Jerry Rawlings for his very important role in the peace process in Liberia and discuss how to maintain the momentum of the process, so that peace, security and development prevailed, not only in Liberia, but in the region.
On the second day of his official visit to Ghana, the Secretary-General visited the Kwame Nkrumah mausoleum where he laid a wreath at the statue of President Nkrumah.
The Secretary-General said his presence was an expression of respect for the memory of President Nkrumah, whom he knew personally. He added it was important to remember that it was only through African unity, through African solidarity, that the problems of Africa could be overcome.
At 11 a.m. the Secretary-General went to the Accra International Conference Centre where he held a two-hour meeting with the Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs, Paul-Victor Obeng, who led a delegation including: Obed Asamoah, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Alhaji Iddrisu Mahama Minister of Defence; Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance; Ibrahim Adam, Minister of Food and Agriculture; Steve Obimpeh, Minister of Health; Kojo Yankah, Deputy Minister of Information; Daniel S. Boateng, Minister of Employment and Social Welfare; and Brigadier F. Agyemfra, Army Chief of Staff.
- 2 - Press Release SG/T/2004 27 November 1995
Mr. Obeng congratulated the Secretary-General on the outstanding success of the General Assembly's commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. He expressed the hope that the adoption of the Declaration of the United Nations fiftieth anniversary will mark the beginning of a renewed willingness on the part of the international community to support the Organization more effectively. The Presidential Adviser on Governmental Affairs also recalled Ghana's strong commitment to the United Nations and expressed his Government's appreciation for the diverse forms of United Nations assistance to Ghana.
The Secretary-General expressed his gratitude for Ghana's support to the United Nations and in particular its role in United Nations peace-keeping. He also paid tribute to the personal efforts of President Jerry John Rawlings as President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the quest for peace in Liberia. The Secretary-General recalled the direct involvement of the President in the pledging conference on Liberia held on 27 October 1995 at Headquarters. The Secretary-General also recalled that Ghana was offering sanctuary to thousands of refugees from Liberia and Togo and he thanked Ghana for its generosity.
The Secretary-General and the Presidential Adviser, as well as the other Cabinet Ministers, had an in-depth discussion on the situation in Liberia including the role played by the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia and the Economic Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG). They also discussed the situation in Sierra Leone.
At 1:30 p.m. the Secretary-General attended a lunch offered in his honour by Mr. Obeng, which was also attended by cabinet ministers. The Secretary- General delivered a toast in which he paid tribute to the commitment of the Government and people of Ghana to the causes of democracy, peace, progress and liberty.
Tomorrow the Secretary-General will meet the President of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings.
During the tour of West African countries, the Secretary-General is accompanied by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Lansane Kouyate.
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