President John Dramani Mahama on Tuesday expressed the government's willingness to partner other countries to develop the private sector that has the potential of accelerating economic growth.

Apart from creating jobs for the numerous Ghanaian youth, he said, the private sector had the potential to expand businesses and partnerships that would subsequently promote socio-economic development.

President Mahama said this when he received Laura Carpini, new Italian Ambassador to Ghana, presented her letters of credence at the Castle, Osu.

President Mahama recollected the cooperation between the two countries in the areas of the Kofi Annan Peace Keeping Centre, Roll-back Malaria Programme and the technical cooperation and gave the assurance that his administration would collaborate to expand areas of cooperation in the coming years.

The President said the roll-back malaria programme that had a positive impact on Ghana as it had reduced the incidence of malaria and reduced child and maternal mortality over the years.

Ambassador Carpini commended Ghanaians for their conducting themselves peacefully and professionally during the general election.

She congratulated President Mahama for emerging victorious in the election and pledged the support of Italy in the coming years.

The Ambassador said the Ghanaian economy was vibrant and pledged to strengthen relations in the private sector.