Let's hold developed nations to their promise - Kufuor

Accra, May 24, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday reminded the world's powerful rich nations to fulfil the promise of using 0.7 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to support developing countries to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). "Let us hold them to this promise," he said, when he received the Irish pop musician, Bono, who has been campaigning for fair global trade and debt cancellation.

Bono is on the last leg of his 10-day six-nation African tour, which has also taken him to Lesotho, Rwanda, Tanzania, Nigeria and Mali. President Kufuor said since it would take so much muscle for developing nations to effectively compete with the industrialized and developed ones, it was important that talk about trade went hand-in-hand with aid support.

He pointed out that given the right policies, encouragement and nourishment, Ghana and the other developing nations could lift themselves up and reach the level where they could compete with all. President Kufuor noted that Bono represented a new breed of artistes, who were using their art to prick the conscience of powerful leaders of the world and influence them to lend a helping hand to developing countries.

"You are truly a worthy friend of Ghana," he said, adding that the Government would do everything to complement his mission. He advised local Ghanaian artistes to be inspired by the Irishman and become more inclined towards providing social services in the communities.

Bono described the country as "the jewellery in the African Continent" and gave the assurance that he would serve as an advocate for Ghana.

"The world must hear your story. We are going to better communicate the values of Ghana."

Bono, who proclaims to be a lobbyist for Africa, said the same weight and moral force applied to end the debt burden would be used to clinch fair global trade agreement.

"We are going to work on your behalf to break new grounds in trade talks."

Bono, who had earlier on arrival on Tuesday visited the Ghana Stock Exchange and toured the Nima Community in Accra, said he was impressed with the progress Ghana was making.

He leaves for the United States tonight.