Vayalar Ravi hurt in road accident in Liberia

The Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi called on the President of the Republic Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, in Ghana on February 01, 2010.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi suffered minor injuries in a road accident while on an official visit to Monrovia, Liberia in West Africa today.

An official press release here said Mr Ravi met with the accident this morning as he was on his way to the airport in Monrovia to take a flight to Lagos in Nigeria.

He has been admitted for treatment to the John F Kennedy Hospital in Monrovia, where he is recovering.

"It is expected that he will be taken to Abidjan in Ivory Coast for check-up and any further treatment that may be necessary," the release said, adding that the Minister's visit to Nigeria had been cancelled.

Mr Ravi was on a tour of West African countries from January 29. On February 1, he had visited Ghana, where he met President John Evans Atta Mills and discussed various bilateral issues between the two countries.

He also met Mr Cletus Avoka, the Interior Minister of Ghana, for discussions on issues of mutual interest, the release said.

Mr Ravi expressed satisfaction over the prompt action taken by the government of Ghana to address the security concerns of the Indian community living in that country. He sought Ghana's cooperation in fighting cyber crime to prevent the cheating of innocent persons by fake employers who make lucrative job offers. Mr Avoka promised all cooperation in this regard.

The Minister also had a meeting with Mr Chris Kpodo, the acting Foreign Minister of Ghana, the release said.

The Indian Association of Ghana organized a function in honour of the visiting Minister. Mr Ravi told the meeting of the measures being taken by the Government of India to strengthen the cultural bond between Indians living abroad and their motherland and to safeguard their economic and other interests in India. He also addressed a large section of the Indian community at a function organized by the High Commission of India at India House, the release added.

NNN