Britain to help Ghana reduce drug trade and crime

Mr Nicholas Westcott, Out-going British High Commissioner to Ghana, said on Wednesday that Britain was poised to co-operate with Ghana to reduce drug trafficking and crime.

In a chat with President John Evans Atta Mills at the Osu Castle in Accra, he said the co-operation would be beneficial to both nations.

Mr Westcott who ends a three-year duty tour of Ghana, said he was leaving with fond memories, and commended the co-operation between the two nations.

He said there had been growth in investment in telecommunications, agriculture and security sectors.

Mr Westcott said the British Government was solidly behind ECOWAS on its efforts to ensure peace in La Cote d’Ivoire.

In addition, the British Government would continue to forge partnership for the people and addressing issues of climate change and other areas of co-operation.

President Mills commended the joint exercise between the UK Border Agency and the Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) for “Operation Westbridge” to track down drug trafficking.

President Mills recalled with appreciation the warm reception accorded him during a visit to Britain two years ago, and expressed appreciation for the facilities put at his disposal.

He said Britain had shown interest in Ghana’s development endeavours, and gave thumbs up to the people of Britain whose tax money was being given to Ghana as development assistance.

He gave the assurance that the development assistance would be used for the benefit of the people.

In a related development, President Mills has commended the relationship between Ghana and Malaysia, but regretted that Ghana probably did not pursue her relations with the Asian nation in the past few years.

Interacting with Mrs Razinah Ghanzali, Out-going Malaysian High Commissioner to Ghana at the Osu Castle in Accra, President Mills made it clear that Ghana was determined to retrace her relations with Malaysia for mutual benefits.

Mrs Ghanzali who completes her three-year duty tour in Ghana, is retiring from the diplomatic service.

President Mills expressed Ghana’s appreciation to the outgoing envoy, and added that while Malaysia held out a promise for good co-operation with Ghana, she would also offer her expertise to Malaysia in areas where she might need assistance.

He urged Mrs Ghanzali to maintain the links she had established in Ghana, promising that Ghana would endeavour to elevate her relations with Malaysia to even greater levels.

President Mills said Mrs Ghanzali should leave the shores of Ghana with the satisfaction that she had served her Government well, adding that Ghana would accord the same level of co-operation to her successor.

Mrs Ghanzali expressed her appreciation to the Government and People of Ghana for a successful duty tour.

President Mills presented a traditional stool to each of the two departing envoys and the traditional ‘kente’ to their spouses as souvenirs.

Mr Westcott presented a book to President Mills.

Source: GNA