Anand Sharma conferred one of Ghana's highest honours

New Delhi, Nov 12 (UNI) Minister of State for External Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Anand Sharma has been conferred upon one of Ghana's highest national honours 'The Companion of the Order of the Volta' by President John Agyekum Kufuor.

He was honoured at a function held to inaugurate the 'Seat of Government and Presidential Complex', the Republic of Ghana, built with Indian assistance.

While inaugurating the Presidential complex, Ghananian President termed Mr Sharma as a friend of Ghana and said he had been instrumental in developing India's relations with countries of the African region.

The award was a recognition of Mr Sharma's personal efforts for his contribution to the development of Africa and his commitment to the underprivileged, he said.

The Presidential complex, inaugurated on November 10, will be known as 'The Golden Jubilee House'.

Speaking on the occasion, President Kufuor appreciated India's timely assistance for the project.

The structure is the evidence of the very strong bond of friendship that exists between Ghana and India. The Presidential Complex includes offices of the President, the Vice-President, and their teams of advisors and staffers. It also includes a services building to accommodate a clinic, a bank, a restaurant, a post office and a fire service post.

The construction work on the project for which India had provided a Line of Credit of 30 million US dollars on soft terms had been inaugurated on May 26, 2006 by the President Kufuor in the presence of Mr Sharma.

The Minister of State for External Affairs also laid foundation stone of the Foreign Service Training Institute of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana, along with Foreign Minister of Ghana Akwasi Osei-Adjei during his visit.

Ghanaian Foreign Minister in his speech on the occasion appreciated the cooperation extended by India in various development projects in Ghana.

On this occasion, Mr Sharma spoke of India's efforts to assist all African countries in their development. He said,'' the 21st century belongs to Africa and Asia and that both Africa and Asia should get their due place in the international arena.'' He also called on H E Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice President of Ghana, and held a bilateral meeting with H E Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Foreign Minister of Ghana.

UNI NAZ GT KN1550