President Mahama leaves for Italy

President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday left Accra for Italy on a three-day official visit. A statement from the Flagstaff House Communication Bureau said,  while in the European country, the President would on Thursday hold discussions with the Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Rome.

It said the President who would also meet with the Italian Prime Minister, Matteo Renzi, to discuss issues relating to economic relations and pending bilateral agreements between the two countries.

President Mahama would also discuss peace and security issues on the African continent, Migration and Ghana's position on the United Nations Security Council reforms.

On Friday, the President would perform a flag-raising ceremony to commemorate Ghana's Day at the on-going Milan Expo 2015, during which the Ghana Pavilion at the Expo would also host a Business Forum.

The President, the statement added, would also hold meetings with a number of Italian businesses with interest in Ghana.

Ghana has very good diplomatic and economic relations with Italy.

With over 118 Italian companies working in Ghana, Italy is ranked the 10th in terms of foreign projects registered in Ghana as at March this year.

Ghana's export to Italy, however,  reached almost GH¢2.2billion in 2012, while imports from Italy amounted to GH¢500million. Majority of Ghana's exports to Italy were petroleum products.

President Mahama who will return home on Saturday, was accompanied by the Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Ekwow Spio Garbrah, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, and the Secretary to the President Ambassador Kwesi Quartey.