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President Thabo Mbeki to visit Benin ahead of attendance of
Ghana's Independence Celebrations Pretoria- President Thabo Mbeki,
supported by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will pay
a working visit to Benin on Monday 5 March and proceed to Ghana on Tuesday 6 March
to attend the country’s 50th Independence celebrations. Minister
Dlamini Zuma will depart South Africa for Benin on Thursday 01 March ahead of
President Mbeki to oversee preparations for the visit of President Mbeki to both
Benin and Ghana. In Benin, President Mbeki supported by Minister
Dlamini Zuma, will hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his
counterpart President Yayi Thomas Boni in Cotonou. In this regard, the two Presidents
are expected to discuss among others: - Closer co-operation between the
two countries
- Finalise draft agreements on Agriculture, Health, Trade
and Investments, Culture, Tourism as well as Minerals and Energy
- Expansion
of Trade
In Ghana, President Mbeki supported by Minister Dlamini
Zuma will join a number of African leaders in the celebration of the 50th Anniversary
of Ghana’s independence scheduled for Accra on Tuesday 6 March. The
independence of Ghana under the able leadership of the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah
gave impetus to liberation movements across the continent in efforts to rid Africa
of the scourge of racism, colonialism and oppression. In this regard,
it is expected Presidents of Botswana, Nigeria, Liberia, Benin, Chairperson of
the AU Commission among others including the Duke of Kent will attend the celebrations.
President Mbeki and Minister Dlamini zuma are expected to return to South
Africa on Wednesday 7 March 2007. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 28
February 2007
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