Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills, has acknowledged India as one of the country’s longest and biggest allies and pledged the willingness to embrace the Indian experience in its development efforts.

He praised India for its long, warm and friendly ties with Ghana and pointed out that the Indian experience had shown that dedication and hard work yielded good

dividends in a nation’s march towards progress.

President Mills was speaking at the Castle, Osu, on Saturday when Dr. Shashi Tha roor, the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs, called on him.

Dr. Tharoor, who made a stop-over in Accra on his way home from Liberia, also ca lled to show solidarity with Ghana on the centenary birthday celebration of Ghan a ‘s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, which falls on Monday.

President Mills described the relationship between Ghana and India as that of ‘brothers and sisters’.

“I don’t think there is anybody in Ghana who doesn’t know the relationship betwe en Ghana and India,” President Mills said, adding “we are happy to have you.”

President Mills acknowledged the Indian contribution to Dr. Nkrumah’s efforts in the nation’s march to independence and its support for Ghana’s democracy.

Dr. Tharoor said India had a special relationship with Ghana, adding “I’m please d and privileged to be in Accra. Since I took over last May, it has been my majo r priority to be in Accra.”

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