President Bush to visit Ghana

US President George W. Bush and his wife Laura will visit Ghana mid-February this year as part of a five-nation African tour to highlight efforts towards economic development, officials told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Sunday.

During the visit, President Bush will among other issues, hold discussions with President John Agyekum Kufuor on developmental issues, including the fight against AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Other countries on President Bush's February 15-21 itinerary are Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda and Liberia.

Announcing the trip last week, the White House said Bush would talk with leaders about how the United States can help promote democratic reform, respect for human rights, free trade, open investment regimes and economic opportunity across the continent.

President Bush made a similar visit to Africa in 2003. "This trip will also be an opportunity for the President to review firsthand the significant progress since his last visit in 2003 in efforts to increase economic development and fight HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other treatable diseases, as a result of the United States robust programs in these areas," the White House said.

GNA