Development of Africa's Economy Vital to Us - High Commissioner

The Canadian High Commissioner in Ghana, Mr. Jean Pierre Bolduc, on Thursday stressed the resolve of the industrialised nations to assist African countries in their efforts to develop their economies.

He said a new partnership with Africa, would be a principal focus of discussion at the G8 summit, which is scheduled to take place in Alberta, Canada, in June this year and which his country currently chairs. M Bolduc, gave the assurance at the inauguration of the 'Ghana-Canada Students Chamber’ (GCSC) at the University of Cape Coast.

The GCSC is geared towards the promotion of educational, social and cultural relations between Ghanaian and Canadian students, and developingtheir leadership skills with a view to making them disciplined, innovative and achievement oriented.

The High Commissioner also mentioned an action plan being evolved to support the New Partnership for Africa's development (NEPAD) with the underlying objective of unlocking greater resources both public and private to assist the continent.

He said G8 leaders have already resolved to work with committed African leaders to help build and expand this new partnership during their last summit in Genoa. "This new partnership will be formed not only among Africans, but also between Africa and the friends of Africa", he declared, adding that the formation of the Chamber, would further strengthen the partnership and foster communication between young Ghanaians and Canadians, who are potential future leaders.

Mr. Kojo Acquah, director of the information and linguistic bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who inaugurated the Chamber, commended Canada for her assistance in improving facilities in some of Ghana's educational institutions, and in her poverty reduction programmes.

He said it is estimated that there are about 50,000 to 60,000 Ghanaians in Canada and said the inauguration of the Chamber has become another milestone in the development of Ghana-Canada relations.

Mr. Acquah was happy that the Chamber seeks to make its members disciplined and productive, particularly in the wake of gross indiscipline on the part of some students. "Under the cloud of such indiscipline, some of us wondered whether the universities, would be able to transform the products from the secondary schools and other educational institutions into patriotic, achievement oriented products, who would do the country proud during their working life," he said.

He, in this regard, expressed the hope that the Chamber would work hard to ensure that the excellence it is striving to achieve does not become "a nine-day wonder". The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the UCC, Professor Kobina Yankson, laterout-doored the Chamber's 'education exchange programme,' which is among others, designed to offer educational opportunities through intercultural learning and overseas study programmes. A nine-member national executive with Mr. Dela Gadzanku of the UCC as president, was sworn into office.