Rawlings back home from G 77 confab

President Jerry John Rawlings has returned home from Cuba, where he attended the South Summit also known as "G 77 Summit." The First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Mr. Victor Gbeho Foreign Minister and Mr. Ohene Agyekum, Minister responsible for Chieftaincy Affairs and Protocol were with him. Briefing Newsmen on arrival, Mr. Gbeho said the meeting was held with the background of the difficulties developing countries were facing because of unfair trade, high fuel and low commodity prices.

The meeting achieved an unprecedented solidarity since the end of colonialism and apartheid, with members pledging to co-operate more than ever before. He said the summit discussed issues relating to globalization, the debt problem and the strengthening of relations between the North and South as well as South - South co-operation. The summit noted that despite the gains made in science and technology, some developing countries were still lacking behind and there was, therefore, the need for members to be interdependent and share ideas. It also emphasized the need for the development of the manpower of G 77 members to help to close the gap between the developed and developing countries. Mr. Gbeho said the meeting called for solidarity among the members and not to allow the North to divide them.

They should strive to negotiate with the North on the same level and refuse to implement decisions taken by developed countries unless they took part in taking such decisions.

Mr. Gbeho said a new health delivery system was set up and Cuba readily accepted to make available 3,000 doctors to assist. South Africa, Nigeria and Algeria also agreed to make available health personnel to help in the new delivery system, especially in the Sahilian regions. The summit also set up a center to implement their decisions till the next summit in 2005. Mr. Gbeho said the meeting unanimously accepted the call by Ghana to lift all sanctions imposed on Iraq, which have affected many women and children.