Terrorism must be eradicated by collective efforts of the civilised world: Mukherjee

Terrorism is a scourge which knows no borders and must be eradicated through the collective efforts of the civilised world, President Pranab Mukherjee said here as he expressed solidarity with Ghana which is confronting this challenge.

In his address at the banquet hosted by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama yesterday, Mukherjee, who arrived here on a two-day visit, said India has been a victim of terrorism for three decades and shares Ghana's concern that it has become a global menace.

"It is a scourge and knows no borders; it has no ideology except the ideology of wanton destruction. It must be eradicated through the collective efforts of the civilised world. India is in solidarity with you as you confront this challenge," he said.

While Mahama quoted Mahatma Gandhi and recalled the bond shared between Ghana's first President Kwame Nkrumah and India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, both founding fathers of Non-Aligned Movement, Mukherjee quoted a poem of Rabindranath Tagore titled 'Africa' in his address.

"Today the world order demands global governance structures that are consistent with the new challenges that confront the global community. It is a serious anomaly that India, home to every sixth citizen of the world and Africa, a vibrant hub of the global economy, still remain out of UN Security Council," Mukherjee said.

On increasing investments by Indian companies in Ghana, the President said Indian business groups understand the potential and would be happy to invest if the right opportunities are given to them.

"The people of India fondly remember Dr Kwame Nkrumah, a great son of Ghana and a visionary leader of pan-Africanism. He embodied Africa's dignity, and inspired the peoples and the governments of African countries to claim their rightful place in global affairs," he said.

The elaborate banquet which saw traditional African dishes with Bollywood numbers playing in the backdrop was hosted at the flag staff college which is constructed by a noted Indian builder.

Mukherjee presented to Mahama a portrait of India's first President Rajendra Prasad as he stressed that government of India seeks Ghana's continued support in fulfilling the vision of the Indo African Forum Summit held in New Delhi last year.

lauding Ghana's efforts in reducing poverty levels to almost half and crossing the threshold to become a low income country, Mukherjee said India will continue to extend the hand of cooperation as it marches on the path of prosperity.

Mukherjee's is the first visit by an Indian President to Ghana and is a part of India's outreach to Africa.