Gov't policies are geared towards wealth creation - Kufuor

The Ghanaian government says, the crux of its economic policies was not only to alleviate poverty, but also to create wealth for the country.

Speaking to a four-man German Parliamentary delegation, which paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu, President Kufuor said savings to be realised from the debts cancellation when the country reached the decision point under the HIPC initiative early next year would be used effectively for more investments to create wealth for the people.

He urged members of the delegation as Parliamentarians to be advocates for the country and inform German investors to invest in Ghana as a way of deepening the cordial relationship between the two countries. "We see Germany as a close ally of Ghana for development," he added.

President Kufuor said delegations, that visited the country and made observations on the result of socio-economic policies and stability should encourage the business community in their countries to invest in Ghana.

Finance Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, said the G8 countries had planned to set specific examples from countries, which they would assist, and the government would endeavour to make Germany use Ghana as its star of development in Africa. "We feel confident that when Germany provides measurable budgetary support we would succeed," he added.

Dr Klaus W. Lippold, leader of the delegation, said despite the economic and social challenges facing Germany, it would continue to support countries with whom she had bilateral relationship.

He said Germany would continue to improve its relationship with Ghana, adding that it was important for European countries to liberalise their markets for goods from Africa to create wealth and encourage their economies to grow.

Dr Lippold said the media should be used effectively to propagate the achievements made by the government's economic policies worldwide for investors to invest in Ghana.