Ghana would become a showpiece in economic devt in W/A-Kufuor

Accra, March 9, GNA- President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said with the current trend of socio-economic development in Ghana, it could become the showpiece within the West African Sub-Region by 2007.

He said Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the past three years had improved and government was determined not to compromise with the economy in order that within the next three years, Ghana could become a showpiece in socio-economic development within the Sub-Region.

President Kufuor said this when Mr Hilary Benn, Member of Parliament and British Secretary of State for International Development paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.

He acknowledged the support and advocacy role played by Britain in Ghana's negotiations with multi-lateral donors whose assistance had enabled the government to stabilize the economy but said to accelerate the pace of economic growth, more assistance was required.

President Kufuor said Britain should be in a position to co-ordinate the multi-donor support to enable the government to plan ahead and move in the right direction.

He said: " Ghanaians have co-operated and supported the government, they have been sincere with us. We are determined not to compromise with the economy".

Mr Benn said the Government had made some achievements by working hard to sustain democracy and stabilize the economy.

He said the establishment of a Commission on Africa announced by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, was to keep world attention on Africa and its development, adding " we look forward to UK's assistance to Africa to help itself".