The British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, has invited President John Dramani Mahama for bilateral talks in London on Friday, June 14, 2013. After the meeting with the British Premier, President Mahama is scheduled to join four other African leaders to attend the G-8 Summit in the United Kingdom (UK) on Saturday, June 15. The visit, according to the invitation, is to offer Mr Cameron and Britain a chance to showcase Ghana as the beacon of democracy in Africa and one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Ghana and the UK have long-standing relations, but officials at the presidency said the latest invitation was a reflection of the world’s recognition of the country’s influence in the comity of nations and President Mahama’s growing international stature within a few months of becoming president. “This has been showcased by the President in his interventions at various fora and in the number of countries and agencies looking up to him personally and Ghana,” a source at the presidency told the Daily Graphic. Many countries, including Britain, the United States of America (USA) and France, have lauded President Mahama’s stance on the security situation in West Africa and the Sahelian region. The G-8 Summit is focusing on what the UK has termed the transparency revolution: trade, tax and transparency. In a letter inviting President Mahama to the event, Prime Minister Cameron said President Mahama’s “personal commitment and leadership will help encourage other countries to appreciate why this agenda is so critical for current and future generations”. He also recognised the President's leadership and commitment to transparency. “With you at the helm, Ghana continues to exhibit strong leadership in democratic governance in the West African region. I also welcome your commitment to transparency in governance by revising the Ghana Criminal Offences Act to redefine corruption to include the more expansive definition covered in the ‘UN Convention Against Corruption and the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption',” the letter said. The source said Ghana was looking forward to highlighting its leadership in the extractive sector and also its continuing commitment to transparency at the G8 Summit. It said President Mahama would also join the British Prime Minister and other guests at the Trooping the Colour event, which marks the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s official birthday.