Sandys In Accra To Meet Nkrumah

Press, Volume C, Issue 29634, 3 October 1961, Page 15

Sandys In Accra To Meet Nkrumah

(.V-Z.KA.-Reuter—Copyright) ACCRA, October 2. The British Commonwealth Relations Secretary (Mr Sandys) arrived in Accra by air from London today for talks with President Nkrumah on current relations between Britain and Ghana.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are due to visit Ghana in a little more than five weeks. Usually wellinformed sources in Accra said Dr. Nkrumah was expected to give Mr Sandys background information on some of the events in Ghana in the last 10 days. They have included the replacement of Major-General Henry Alexander by a Ghanaian as Chief of the Ghana Defence Staff; the President’s requests to a number of Government members, including two Cabinet Ministers, to resign; and the Cabinet reshuffle announced on Saturday. Mr Sandys, who suggested the talks, said at London Airport before leaving last night, he hoped he and Dr. Nkrumah would "be able to clear the air a little.” “It is quite obvious that the general atmosphere of the relations between Britain and Ghana has not been all that we should like in recent months.” the British Minister told reporters. In a brief statement on his arrival in Accra, Mr Sandys said this was his third visit

to Ghana this year and he was glad to come.

“There are times when a good frank and friendly talk can do a power of good. I think this may be one of those moments,” he said.

Mr Sandys is due to see President Nkrumah at noon —immediately after the first meeting of Ghana's new Cabinet The British United Press reported that Mr Tawaih Adamafio, Ghana’s new Minister of Information, said in Accra this morning that the Ghanaian Government did not necessarily approve the policy of the “Ghanaian Times.” The ’’Ghanaian Times" this morning carried yet another attack on the British press and its alleged attempts to oppose the “forward march of Africa” and interference in Ghanaian affairs

In a leading article the newspaper suggests that the British press has the mistaken idea that Mr Sandys has come to Ghana for a “showdown” with President Nkrumah.

“Who do they think their man Sandys is to come for a ‘showdown’ with Nkrumah?” it asks.