Italian President ends visit to Ghana
{{date|July 11, 2007}}
{{Ghana}}Mr. [[w:Giorgio Napolitano|Giorgio Napolitano]], the [[w:President of the Italian Republic|President of Italy]] has completed a three day visit to [[Ghana]].

During his visit, he met President [[w:John Kufuor|John Kufuor]] at the [[w:Osu Castle|Osu Castle]]. They highlighted the bonds between Ghana and Italy and past cooperation such as the building of the [[w:Akosombo Dam|Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam]] and AGIP's involvement in Ghana's petroleum business.

Napolitano also visited the [[w:Parliament of Ghana|Parliament of Ghana]], where he paid a courtesy call on the Speaker, [[w:Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes|Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes]]. Napolitano said the [[European Union]] had a role to play in the integration of Africa. Sekyi-Hughes was pleased that the Italian president had shown confidence in Ghana's parliament and its young democracy.

Later, he visited the [[w:Kwame Nkrumah|Kwame Nkrumah ]] mausoleum in [[w:Accra|Accra]] and inspected work on the [[w:Accra Sports Stadium|Ohene Djan Sports Stadium]] where Italian workers are engaged in construction work to prepare the stadium for the [[w:2008 African Cup of Nations|2008 African Cup of Nations]] tournament.

The next day, he visited the [[w:Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre|Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre]] near Accra. Ghana and Italy affirmed their commitment to the training of civilian personnel attached to various peacekeeping missions. While there, he said "Italy appreciates the level of troop contribution to and for works done by Ghana's contingents to peacekeeping operations worldwide". He continued, "We are pleased with your sense of mission and the high level of professionalism being exhibited by your troops on peace missions, and we would continue to support you in your role".

He was the guest of honour at a state banquet held before his departure.

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=126940
|title=Italian President Napolitano departs
|author=
|pub=Ghana Home Page
|date=July 10, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ghananewsagency.org/?s=bV4EjEpg&r=TMs
|title=Italy pledges to get Africa high on EU agenda
|author=
|pub=Ghana News Agency
|date=July 10, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=126965
|title=Italian President commends role of GAF
|author=
|pub=Ghana Home Page
|date=July 10, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=126893
|title=Ghana-Italy to deepen bilateral relations
|author=
|pub=Ghana Home Page
|date=July 9, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=126883
|title=Italian President calls on Parliament
|author=
|pub=Ghana Home Page
|date=July 9, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=126807
|title=Italian President arrives in Ghana
|author=
|pub=Ghana Home Page
|date=July 8, 2007}}

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{{Archived}}

[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Ghana]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:Italy]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Accra]]
Mr. Giorgio Napolitano, the President of Italy has completed a three day visit to Ghana.

During his visit, he met President John Kufuor at the Osu Castle. They highlighted the bonds between Ghana and Italy and past cooperation such as the building of the Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam and AGIP's involvement in Ghana's petroleum business.

Napolitano also visited the Parliament of Ghana, where he paid a courtesy call on the Speaker, Ebenezer Sekyi-Hughes. Napolitano said the European Union had a role to play in the integration of Africa. Sekyi-Hughes was pleased that the Italian president had shown confidence in Ghana's parliament and its young democracy.

Later, he visited the Kwame Nkrumah  mausoleum in Accra and inspected work on the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium where Italian workers are engaged in construction work to prepare the stadium for the 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament.

The next day, he visited the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre near Accra. Ghana and Italy affirmed their commitment to the training of civilian personnel attached to various peacekeeping missions. While there, he said "Italy appreciates the level of troop contribution to and for works done by Ghana's contingents to peacekeeping operations worldwide". He continued, "We are pleased with your sense of mission and the high level of professionalism being exhibited by your troops on peace missions, and we would continue to support you in your role".

He was the guest of honour at a state banquet held before his departure.
Africa Ghana Europe Italy Politics and conflicts Accra