Rawlings Arrives in Botwana for Visit

Former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings is in the Botswana capital Gaborone for a six-day visit in his role as a UN eminent person.

On arrival Saturday at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, Rawlings urged Batswana to redouble their efforts in fighting against HIV/AIDS.

The southern African country is reputed to have the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world.

The former Ghanaian strongman has expressed an interest to promote volunteerism in Africa in the context of HIV/AIDS issues.

Rawlings, who ruled Ghana between 1979-80 and 1981-2000, has been nominated by UN secretary general Kofi Annan as an eminent person to help give UN Volunteers (UNV) a higher profile as well as wider recognition for volunteerism world-wide.

The UNV is the lead agency for the International Year of Volunteers (IW) 2001 as proclaimed by the UN general assembly in 1997 to enhance recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteering.

Rawlings' programme in Botswana is being handled by the national committee for IW 2001 with the support of the UNDP and the Gaborone government.