President Jerry Rawlings on Wednesday called for more cooperation between developed and developing countries to accelerate development.
He said that, "Africans are not asking to be spoon fed but to be given a helping hand to enable us stand".
President Rawlings was speaking at the airport when he saw off a 12- member delegation of the Bill Gates Foundation after a three-day visit to Ghana as part of a three-nation African tour.
The delegation led by its President, Ms Patty Stonesifer was in the country to inspect health related projects funded by the Foundation.
President Rawlings expressed his appreciation for the work being done by the Foundation and said "the time has come for major companies to channel some of their resources to assist poor countries especially in the areas of health and education".
President Rawlings briefed journalists accompanying the delegation about efforts the government is making to provide quality education and good health especially primary health care and said that, "this is being hindered by the scarce financial resources".
He acknowledged that, "although a chunk of budgetary allocation goes into health and educational sectors, there are still many who cannot enter university because of lack of facilities to accommodate them.
" Many doctors are leaving the country because they are not well remunerated.
They are not provided with sophisticated equipment to work with and also critical health conditions are sent outside for treatment."
President Rawlings called for assistance for Ghana's health delivery and educational systems to enable her maintain her development momentum.
Mr Trevor Nielson, Communications Director of the Foundation said they chose Ghana because the country is in the forefront of polio.
He said the foundation has committed about two million dollars to health delivery in Obuasi, Amponyasi in the Ashanti region and Nsawam and Pakro in the Eastern region.
Mr Nielson said the Foundation is in the process of committing more money to Ghana's health delivery system in the areas of eradicating tuberculosis, malaria as well as improving women's health.
Also at the airport was the First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings.
