Kufuor expresses concern about proliferation of arms in sub-region

Accra, July 24, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Thursday expressed concern about the strong and intelligent youth in West Africa being recruited as mercenaries to create instability.

He said due to the high rate of unemployment, the youth were attracted to the evil of the proliferation of small arms and recruited as mercenaries.

President Kufuor therefore, appealed to the developed countries to rally in good faith to support countries in the sub-region, most of whom had dedicated people to serve their countries for socio-economic development to reverse the trend.

President Kufuor said this when the Most Reverend Dr Rowan Douglas Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, who is on a week's visit to the West African Province of the Anglican Church, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.

He said it was unfortunate the sub-region had been characterised by insecurity, adding that there were a lot of factors, including manipulations by some external forces for material gains. "Most of the countries in the sub-region have not been allowed to learn the advancement in nation building and with little education are manipulated through ethnicity to divide their ranks instead of binding them together," he said.

President Kufuor said the developed countries could show some concern and consciousness to enable these developing countries to rise to their feet. In due course, he said, the world would be a happier place for all.

On activities of the Church in Ghana, President Kufuor said it was a singular honour to receive the Archbishop of Canterbury since the Church had contributed immensely to the country's socio-economic development, with many of the Church members in responsible positions.

"Ghana has cause to be grateful to the Church that sent missionaries to assist in the evolution of the modern state."

Most Reverend Dr Williams said his visit to Ghana was due to the interest and inspiration of Ghana's history.

He said, in addition, Ghana had become the beacon of democracy in the sub-region despite the insecurity in some of the countries.

The Archbishop of Canterbury expressed support for the efforts by President Kufuor to bring peace and stability to the sub-region.

Most Reverend Dr Williams would spend three-days in Ghana and continue to Freetown, Sierra Leone, for two-days and them Banjul, the Gambia for one day.

Born on June 14, 1950 in Swansea, Wales, Most Reverend Dr Williams was elected as Archbishop of Canterbury on July 23, last year and enthroned as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England on February 27, 2003.

He was the first Welshman to be appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury. Other members of his delegation include his wife Jane, the Reverend Jonathan Jennings, Press Secretary, Canon Jim Rosenthal, Communications Officer and Canon Dr Herman Browne, Secretary for Anglican Communion Affairs.