Defence Minister Calls for Support in Germany

Dr Kwame Addo-Kufuor, Minister for Defence and Acting Interior Minister, who is currently leading a Ghanaian delegation to Germany, has had discussion with the German Ministers for Defence, and Economic Co-operation and Development. He has also held meetings with parliamentary committee leaders responsible for the two sectors and other leaders in the German Government.

On 14 June 2002, Dr Addo-Kufuor was invited to speak in Muenster at a symposium organized by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation on the topic "POLICY AND DEMOCRACY DEVELOPMENT IN WEST AFRICA - THE CASE OF GHANA". After giving a brief exposition of Ghana's recent history and certain key political events, the Minister stated that Ghana's democracy was back on track and firm foundation was also being established for the country's economic development. He said President Kufuor's recent visit further strengthened the very cordial relations between Ghana and Germany.

Dr. Addo-Kufuor made an appeal for Germany, which he described as an important development partner for Africa and an influential country in Europe and the wider world, to persuade the G8 to organize a Marshal Plan for Africa. By this, he said the continent and her people would be given the resources and technological know-how in quantities adequate to pull Africa out of her current difficult state.

On NEPAD, the Minister stated that the programme would be in the interest of Africa, but should not be rushed. He was of the view that if NEPAD merely becomes a programme for G8 countries and the African Heads of State, it might fail to have the desired impact. The Minister told his audience that democracy in Ghana and Africa faced certain challenges - the most important among these were security concerns, widespread poverty, corruption, governance problems and lack of confidence in the judicial process. He concluded by saying that with the appropriate development support, infusion of foreign direct investments and fair trade practices, Africa will overcome her problems and take it's proper place in the global community.

Dr. Kofi Apraku, Minister for Trade and Industry who is also on the delegation gave an overview of the economic situation in Ghana, noting that the current indicators pointed to a steady revival of the economy, with inflation dropping from about 45% to 14%, interest rates also dropping from about 55% to 28%, and the relative stability if the cedi within the 16 months that the government had been in office. Dr Apraku drew the linkages between democracy, good governance and economic growth and expressed optimism about the future of the country.

Two eminent Ghanaians who participated in the symposium also expressed some viewpoints. While Professor Dr. Naa John Nabila argued out the contribution of the institution of chieftancy towards good governance in Ghana, Bishop Lucas Abadamlora of the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church cited the roe of the Church in nation-building and said the Church as a body believed in dialogue as a way of resolving conflicts rather than confrontation with Government.

Among the other programmes drawn up for the Minister's visit are a meeting with Hon Edmund Stoiber, the Flagbearer of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) at the CDU Congress in Frankfurt and an interaction with Ghanaians who are resident in Stuttgart.

Dr Addo-Kufuor who was accompanied by his Military Assistant, Lt. Col. OB Akwa is due back home on tomorrow.