Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in the Republic of Ghana

January 4, 2001

1. The Government of Japan highly appreciates the fact that the run-off Presidential election in Ghana on December 28, 2000, as well as the Presidential and Parliamentary elections on December 7, 2000, were held in a democratic, peaceful and transparent manner. Japan views this as a sign that democracy has firmly taken root in Ghana.

2. Japan expresses its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. John Agyekum Kuffour, on his election as the next President of Ghana. Japan also acclaims the achievements of the incumbent President Rawlings, who has headed the country for many years, and expresses deep respect to the people of Ghana for the fact that the series of elections were conducted in an orderly and disciplined way under the rules of democracy.

3. Japan hopes for the further development of Ghana and the further strengthening of friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries.

Related Information (Japan-Ghana Relations)