NDC Germany Participates in SPD G8-Review Conference

NDC Germany was one of two African Parties to participate at the Ruling SPD (Social Democratic Party) Party G8-Review Conference which ended over the weekend in Hannover, Germany.

The Conference which is a prelude to the forthcoming SPD Conference in October reviewed the outcomes of the recently concluded G8 Meeting in Berlin and also to develop Policy Strategies for Germany in the new European Union and the Global Multilateral Economy.

In attendance at the Conference were top politicians from across Europe and Germany which included but not limited to Mr. Frank Walter Steinmair (German Foreign Minister) Mr. Martin Schutz (European Union Member of Parliament & Foreign affairs committee Member) and Mr. Woinoff (SPD Director of Int. Relation). Also present were. Mr. Kurt Beck (SPD Chairman), Mr. Herbetus Heil, (General Secretary) and Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul (German Development Minister). NDC was represented by Mr Kwasi Tamakloe and Frank Adusei of the German Branch.

The Discussions ranged from Germany in the new Global Economy, Climate Change and Africa. NDC Germany which happens to seat on the Foreign/Development Committee of the SPD Party were given an opportunity to address the Conference and make a Presentation on ‘German Foreign Policy Sensitivity and Poverty in Africa’.which was done by Mr Kwasi Tamakloe. He raised awareness on the importance of the need for sensitivity of Germany & European Foreign Policy to African Special Interests such as trade, culture & environment.

A Political Research group led by Mr. David Buhlmaier held side-discussions with the NDC exchanging views on NDC’s Social Democratic Philosophy, NDC’s Agenda, the German Branch and the NDC EU Group. Other side Meetings was held between NDC Germany and the Political Research Departments of the University of Belefield to assist them in developing Academic links between Ghanaian Universities and the Univ of Belefield. As a result a number of Researchers from the Univeristy of Belefield will be spending sometime in Ghana undertaking Research on the Ghana Political system and building academic links with local Ghanaian Universities. .

Professor Atta-Mills, the flagbearer of the NDC in the coming 2008 elections has been invited as a Speaker to the main Annual German SPD Congress to take place in October in Hamburg.