Accra, Feb. 4, GNA - Former President John Agyekum Kufuor leaves Accra on Thursday for visits to Cote d'Ivoire and Tunis where he will address meetings of political parties and the African Development Bank (AfDB) respectively.

Cote d'Ivoire goes into general elections next month and former President Kufuor will address a national conference of representatives of all the political parties, civil society, diplomats and the media on the need for the peaceful conduct of the elections, according to a statement signed by Mr Frank Agyekum, Spokesperson for the former President. It said President Kufuor will speak on: "Elections in Africa, the Ghana Experience."

He will also hold separate meetings with Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo who will then host him to dinner. He will also meet Prime Minister Guillaume Soro and the two other contestants in the impending elections. Former President Kufuor will address a press conference as well as grant a live interview on Ivorian national television.

The statement said in Tunis the former President will hold talks with Donald Kabureka, President of the AfDB, and address a meeting of the Executive Directors of the Bank. He will also give a lecture on, "Governance Challenges and Economic Development in Africa" at a forum to be attended by about 120 networks within and outside the AfDB. Former President Kufuor will also address the international media on the aims and objectives of the yet to be launched Kufuor Foundation. He is expected back in Ghana on 11th February 2010. 4 Feb. 10