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Ghana is grateful for Germany's
development support
Accra, Jan. 11, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor has
expressed Ghana's appreciation to Germany for its
development support to the country, which crossed the
billion Euros mark last year.
In addition, a 270 million Euro debt owed her by Ghana was
also cancelled, something, that significantly contributed to
the turn around of the country's economy.
President Kufuor conveyed the country's appreciation at the
opening of bilateral talks with the visiting German
President Horst Kohler at the Castle, Osu, on Thursday.
Accompanied by the wife Eva and a 170-member delegation,
made up of Government Officials and businessmen, he is in
the country for a four-day visit during which, he would
participate in the Partnership with Africa Forum.
The last time Mr Kohler came to Ghana was about four years
ago when he was then the Managing Director of the
International Monetary Fund (IMF).
President Kufuor noted that apart from development
assistance, there were technical and economic cooperation
between the two countries in the areas of education,
agriculture, good governance as well as the fight against
the HIV-AIDS pandemic.
He recalled the encouragement President Kohler as Managing
Director of the IMF gave to the country, when it opted for
the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative.
"It is a credit to you. The encouragement you gave to us to
go through the HIPC has helped to turn the economy around.
It is now strong, stable and showing a lot of hope."
President Kufuor also referred to the "Initiative on
Partnership with Africa", a baby of President Kohler, and
his decision that Ghana should co-chair the Forum, which
seeks to promote understanding among peoples of the world,
in Accra from the January 12 to January 14 and said: "This
reflects the confidence you and your Government have in
Ghana."
He said it was significant the Forum was being held at the
Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPC),
which the Germans helped to established to assist to restore
peace and security to the West African Sub-Region.
President Kohler said his country was impressed with
President Kufuor's leadership which, has led to high
economic performance and stability of Ghana's economy.
He also lauded President Kufuor for his role in the African
Union and said he saw it as a privilege to be one of the
first leaders to visit Ghana as it celebrated its 50 years
of nationhood.
President Kohler said his Partnership with Africa Initiative
was meant to find ways and means of promoting dialogue based
on equal footing.
He noted that through joint effort and activity by the rich
nations and Africa, the Continent would be put on a path of
prosperity.
GNA
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