Queen Elizabeth addresses parliament

Queen Elizabeth of Britain addressed parliament in Accra on Monday saying that the bonds between Ghana and the UK were stronger than ever, state radio reported. She said Britain had invested more in Ghana than any other industrialised country and was also a partner in Ghana’s development with bilateral assistance of some 40 million pounds sterling a year (US $65 million), state radio reported. The Queen, who left Accra for South Africa on Tuesday, said Ghana had “embraced the concept of pluralism in its politics and the people of this country have been in the forefront of the renaissance in Africa of democratic values” state radio reported. Presidential elections are due late next year and current head Jerry Rawlings - having reached the end of his second term - will not be standing for re-election.