Ghana on Tuesday appealed to Japan to release an outstanding grant of 80 million dollars meant to offset the country's balance of payment difficulties. Japan made the pledge last year but it is yet to release the money.
President John Agyekum Kufuor made the appeal when Mr Hiromu Nitta, Japanese Ambassador in Ghana, called on him at the State House in Accra. "We need very powerful friends such as Japan to help us move ahead," he said. "Some will have to write-off our debts while others help with increased grants."
President Kufuor, who has persistently called on international donors to cancel the country's debts, however, explained that his call does not necessarily mean his declaration of Ghana as a Highly Indebted Poor Country.
He said what he seeks to do now is to mobilise assistance in any form to support the budget and usher Ghana into "a golden age of business", adding that his government will be efficient in managing the resources.
"We'll cut down on corruption to its barest minimum and support the private sector but not through protection." President Kufuor said he hopes for an opportunity to meet with decision-makers in Japan in order to make a genuine case for Ghana.
Mr Nitta congratulated Mr Kufuor on his election and said he viewed the peaceful and transparent manner in which the elections were held as a sign of Ghana's democracy taking deep-root. "Japan considers Ghana to be one of the key countries in West Africa which could become a model and development assistance base for Japanese aid in the sub-region."
Mr Nitta pledged his country's continued assistance to Mr Kufuor's administration through economic co-operation. Japan provides the largest single donor assistance to Ghana in terms of grants, loans and technical co-operation.
The Asian country gave Ghana a total assistance of 157 million US dollars in 1998 although this went down to 100 million dollars in 1999. In another development, Mr James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, has pledged the bank's support for President John Agyekum Kufuor's government.
"I want to assure you that the World Bank will be ready to support you in the months and years to come, and we look forward to a close and productive relationship with you," he said in a letter to Mr Kufuor released to the press on Tuesday.
Mr Wolfensohn reminded Mr Kufuor of the need to give attention to the problems facing the country. "As you have been articulating so clearly during the election campaign, there are some very serious economic challenges to be faced in Ghana.
"Our Country Director in Ghana, Peter Harrold, has explained to me the policies that you have been espousing, and it is clear that we will be able to support you and work well with you and your team as you move to implement these policies.
