The UK’s Minister for Africa and MP for North West Norfolk, Henry Bellingham, visits Ghana from 17-19 February 2011 as part of a one week tour to the sub-region. The key themes of the visit are to improve and promote commercial ties between the UK and Ghana, as part of the wider UK-Ghana bilateral relationship, and to encourage Ghana’s continued progress along its current positive democratic and economic paths. As part of activities lined up for his visit, the Minister will deliver a speech at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) on the subject “Shared Prosperity, Shared Security and Shared Values: A Solid Foundation for the Future”. The Minister will pay a courtesy call on President John Evans Atta Mills, and the Foreign Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, and will meet other high ranking ministers, political leaders and members of the business community. He will also pay a familiarisation visit to Blue Skies, a British company with operations in Ghana and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Blue Skies specialises in exporting high quality, just-harvested, fruit products to Europe. Henry Bellingham entered Parliament in 1983 and is currently the Member of Parliament for North West Norfolk. His background is in law, and whilst the Conservative Party was in opposition, he was the Shadow Minister for Constitutional Affairs/Justice from 2005 up until 2010. Other positions he has held include Shadow Minister for Trade and Industry (2002-03) and Shadow Minister for Economic Affairs (2003-05). Mr Bellingham was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary for State at the Foreign and Commonwealth (Minister for Africa) in May 2010. In his current post, Mr Bellingham has played a key role in designing and implementing UK policy towards Sudan, Somalia, the DRC and Cote d’Ivoire. He is also responsible for UN affairs and has been active in promoting UN reform and more effective peacekeeping. This is his first visit to West Africa.