"We mean business," Kufuor tells ADB head

President John Agyekum Kufuor on Monday urged the African Development Bank (AfDB) to remain the supporting pillar for the development of the people of West Africa.

He observed that the bank's target areas of support are "custom made" for the needs of most developing countries, particularly Ghana, which is poised now than ever to alleviate poverty.

President Kufuor, who was speaking at a meeting in Accra with AfDB President, Omar Kabbaj, assured him of his government's fullest co-operation in the realisation of its goals.

Mr Kabbaj is on a three-day fact-finding visit during which he would inspect projects funded by the bank and discuss with the economic management team its role in calming the micro-economic turbulence buffeting Ghana.

President Kufuor recapped his new vision of ushering Ghana into a "Golden Age of Business" and said the government remains committed to it.

"We mean business," he said, and appealed for the AfDB's continued support, especially in infrastructure development.

He declared: "We're not going to allow complacency, mismanagement and inefficiency to distort our movement towards the Golden Age. "There will be no room for waste."

Mr Kabbaj said he was pleased that Ghana opted for the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, adding that it would provide urgent and substantial debt relief for the country.

He said the AfDB would participate fully in granting Ghana the special package as a HIPC country towards poverty alleviation.

In addition to poverty alleviation, the bank will support Ghana in the areas of education and health.

Among those present at the meeting were some members of the economic management team, who took turns to brief the AfDB President on areas they expected the bank to, make meaningful contribution.

Prominent among them is the recovery of the private sector, small-scale industries, manpower development, roads and agriculture.