Italian Prime Minister on visit to deepen ties with Ghana
The Italian Prime Minister, Mr Matteo Renzi, arrived in Accra yesterday to begin a two-day state visit to the country.
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The aircraft carrying the Italian Premier touched down at the Kotoka International Airport at 4.45 p.m. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, welcomed him at a brief ceremony.
As the Italian national anthem was played by the Ghana Navy Band, a 21-gun salute boomed in the background.
President John Dramani Mahama and his guest were scheduled to hold bilateral talks later yesterday evening at the Flagstaff House.
Expectations
The visit is expected to strengthen ties between the two countries.
In July, last year, President Mahama was in Italy where he discussed with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Renzi peace and security issues in Africa, migration and Ghana’s position on the UN Security Council reforms.
President Mahama also performed a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate Ghana Day at the Milan Expo 2015 and held meetings with a number of Italian businesses with interests in Ghana.
Mr Renzi will visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park today and later hold discussions with the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Edward Doe Adjaho, and the Majority and Minority leaders.
Prime Minister Renzi will also address Parliament before departing Accra for Rome.
At the time of going to press yesterday, President Mahama and the Italian Prime Minister were holding bilateral talks.