Kufuor returns from World Economic Forum

Accra, June 8, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor, returned home on Saturday night after attending the 18th World Economic Forum in South Africa and the 4th Tokyo International Conference on Trade and Development (TICAD) in Japan.

President Kufuor who was away for two weeks, was met on arrival by Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State, senior military and police personnel.

Mr Andrew Awuni, Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman briefing journalists on arrival said the conference in Japan threw some light on global challenges, particularly those facing Africa. He said the Japanese Government pledged to increase its assistance to Africa, adding that an Action plan was declared to ensure that development projects around the world and particularly in Africa were tackled with specific guide lines, including well laid rules on the role of each stakeholder.

Mr Awuni said a Time Action Plan was also adopted to ensure that these projects were carried out within specified periods. He said Ghana was selected by the Japanese Government among three other countries on its priority list in the area of assistance, based on good governance, economic growth as well as the potential of the countries in social, economic and political growth.

Mr Awuni said the forum in South Africa deliberated on how to capitalize on investment activities in Africa and climate change and sought ideas from the Heads of State on the way forward concerning issues of global concern, especially in Africa.