Excelsior Correspondent
ACCRA (GHANA), June 13: Strongly advocating UN Security Council membership for India and Africa, President Pranab Mukherjee said here that it is a serious anomaly because “India, home to every 6th citizen of the world and Africa, vibrant hub of global community, still remain out of the UN Security Council”.
Speaking at the banquet hosted in his honour by John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, President Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the Government of Ghana for making significant advancement in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Earlier, on his arrival here on the first leg of his 6-day African tour, President Pranab Mukherjee was accorded rousing welcome by John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana and senior members of his Cabinet.
From the Indian side, President Mukherjee was accompanied by a high level official delegation consisting of Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, senior MPs including S.S. Ahluwalia and Mansukh Mandaviya and senior officers from the Ministry of External Affairs.
The President’s delegation was given a traditional reception at the airport with local artists presenting a cultural ballet and dance.
During his brief halt at the airport, Pranab Mukherjee addressed the media in which he referred to several common features in the India-Ghana relationship. He assured the Ghana President of all possible support from India in every sphere and said, the hand of support extended by India will never be taken back.
The Ghana President John Dramani Mahama referred to the traditional old ties with India and recalled that India was one of the oldest countries to have opened a Consulate in Ghana in 1953 during their struggle for independence and later established a full-fledged Diplomatic Mission after independence in 1957.
Later in the evening, President Mukherjee gave an interview to Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and thereafter, accompanied by the Indian delegation, he attended the banquet hosted by the President of the Republic of Ghana.
The engagements on the second day of President’s visit will include signing of agreement by Dr Jitendra Singh on behalf of Government of India and Dr Hannah Tetteh, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Ghana for exemption of Visa requirements.
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