German Gov't to provide $30 Mil. for Accra-K'si road

THE German Government is to provide $30 million for the construction of portions of the Accra-Kumasi Road.

Negotiations to this effect are expected to be finalised by next week. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyeman, announced this when he briefed the press at the Kotoka International Airport shortly after President J.A. Kufuor had returned from a two-nation official visit to Europe. He was welcomed at the airport by the Vice- President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Service Commanders. The President was in Germany at the invitation of the government while he was in Italy to attend the World Food Summit.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman did not disclose details of the support the German Government intends to give to Ghana in constructing the road.

He also said that the German Government has also agreed to cancel $6.5 million Ghana owed the former East Germany.

The Foreign Minister described the trip as very fruitful, adding that a “follow -up mechanism has already been arranged to concretise the decisions agreed on between President Kufuor and German leaders.

He explained that rules and procedures have been already worked out for collaboration with the German Government.

Mr Owusu-Agyeman said a decision has been reached with European nations to remove tariffs imposed on imports from the developing world so as to provide a level playing field for globalisation to thrive.

He said the President also addressed the World Food Summit and called on the international community to reduce hunger by 50 per cent by the year 2015.

He said the President noted that it is important for developed nations and other development partners to recognise Africa’s commitment to the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) initiative and good governance.

The President, on his part, described the criticism that richer nations boycotted the World Food Summit as unfounded and said the leaders who attended renewed their commitment to make food available on the table of every person on earth.