Boafo calls for compensation from developed countries

Kumasi, Oct.13, GNA - Mr Sampson Kwaku Boafo, Ashanti Regional Minister, has called on the developed countries to compensate African countries whose locally trained professionals are working in their countries.

He said Africa's development had been thwarted to some extent by the phenomenon of the brain drain and there was the need for compensation by beneficiary developed countries.

"We cannot stop it but the developed world has the obligation and moral duty to pay us adequate compensation for the locally trained professionals working in Europe and America", he stated. Mr Boafo made the call when students from the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom, paid a courtesy call on him in Kumasi on Wednesday.

The students who were led by the Senior Directing Staff, Rear Admiral Roger Lockwood (Rtd) and Mr Gordon Wetherell, British High Commissioner to Ghana, were on a four week tour of four African countries.

The other countries are Kenya, Zambia and Angola. The tour was to enable the students have an insight into practices in countries to be visited that encouraged governance and could be replicated elsewhere to enhance stability and prosperity. It was also to assess the role of development aid, debt relief and trade to promote stability, security and sustainable development on the continent as well as examples of leadership and statesmanship at the national and regional levels.

Mr Boafo suggested that the "Tony Blair Commission for Africa", which sought to address some of the problems facing Africa should be pursued in concert with the African Governments and organizations for maximum security, sustainability and prosperity of the continent. He stressed that, poverty, disease; illiteracy and want were threat to democratic governance on the continent and urged development partners to help developing countries on their march towards economic development.

Mr Boafo also called for a fair trade terms and direct foreign investments to promote industrialisation and cut down on the imports bills of developing nations.

He noted that, even though Africans themselves could best identify the needs and aspirations of Africa, development aids, debt relief and trade could be used to promote stability, security and ensure sustainable prosperity on the continent.

Mr Boafo, however, said good governance, transparency and accountability were important to ensure that such resources were used for the intended projects and programmes.

He said Ghana had since 1992 embarked on a democratic system of government and constitution which guaranteed the freedoms and liberties of individuals, vibrant press and independent institutions which promoted good governance, accountability and the rule of law in the country.