*Emir leaves Accra at the end of six-nation West Africa tour

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo held official talks at the presidential palace in Accra.

The Ghanaian president welcomed the Emir and his accompanying delegation, and thanked him for responding to the invitation to visit Ghana.

He hoped the visit will take relations between the two countries to new heights.

The president reiterated his country's keenness to develop co-operation with Qatar, especially in the energy, infrastructure, aviation, sports, youth and food security fields.

The Emir thanked the president and the Ghanaian people for the warm reception and hospitality, expressing his desire to deepen bilateral relations and expand co-operation.

The two leaders discussed ways to develop the relations in various fields for the benefit of the two countries and their people.

The two sides also discussed the overall regional and international situation, especially in the Middle East and Africa.

Later the two leaders witnessed the signing of a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding.

The agreements cover investments, aviation and youth and sports.

The Emir earlier attended a luncheon banquet hosted by Akufo-Addo at the Presidential Palace.

The official meeting, agreement signing ceremony and banquet were attended by members of the delegation accompanying the Emir as well as a number of ministers and senior officials from Ghana.

Earlier on arrival at Kotoka International Airport, an official welcoming ceremony was held for the Emir, where the Qatari and Ghanaian national anthems were played.

The Emir then reviewed a Guard of Honour and was given a 21-gun salute.

The Emir later left Accra at the end of his official visit to Ghana.

He was seen off by Ghana's Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, ministers, officials as well as Qatar's Ambassador to Ghana Mohamed Jaber al-Kuwari, and Ghana's Ambassador to Qatar Emmanuel Enos.

The Emir sent a cable to Ghana's president, expressing his deep thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality.

The Emir arrived in Accra after concluding an official visit to Ivory Coast.

A statement issued at the end of the visit said the Emir and Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of common concern, all in a friendly atmosphere with mutual understanding.

The two leaders witnessed the signing of five agreements which seek to boost strategic partnership and implement projects in the field of civil aviation, maritime transport, culture, youth and sports.

Both sides agreed on the need for consultations to sign an agreement later on regulating labour force from the Ivorian side.

The Ivorian president expressed the gratitude of his government and people to the Emir for the contribution to the development of his country.

The president briefed the Emir on the progress achieved in the fields of economy and democracy, the fight against poverty and terrorism, national reconciliation and peace - values dear to late president Felix Houphouet-Boigny.

The two leaders confirmed their desire to promote a united and more cohesive Africa, and the importance of preparing itself to combat new forms of crime including terrorism, cyber-crimes, sea piracy and drug trafficking.

They agreed to achieve this by calling on the international community to support the continent to eradicate these threats.

With regards to the threats facing Africa, the Emir and the president called for finding comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the crises affecting the continent.

The Emir welcomed the firm role played by the president in continuing the peaceful settlement of these crises in Africa.

Qatar values the stance of the government of Ivory Coast which calls for dialogue with the support of the Kuwaiti mediation led by the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah and his refusal to push people into political differences.

His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim was awarded the 'National Medal of Merit', the highest honour of Ivory Coast by Ouattara, in appreciation of his valuable contribution to promoting friendly relations between the two countries.

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