Kufuor calls for space for African youth in political discourse

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has asked African leaders to give more space for the youth in political and social discourse to enable them to fully exploit their potentials for the good of the society.

Mr Kufuor said the youth in Africa share the aspirations of their counterparts anywhere in the world.

"They want the good life: good education, good jobs, good homes, upward mobility in society and prosperity.

“And they want to enjoy all these in a regime of freedom where they are able to fully exploit their God-given talents without intimidation or harassment.

"The difference between the African youth and those in developed countries is that while numerous avenues exist for those in the developed world to realise their dreams, in many African countries the opportunities are very limited and therefore many a good idea goes unrealised," he said.

Former President Kufuor was speaking at a symposium at the Academy Hall in Berlin, Germany, to mark the 70th birthday anniversary of Former German President Horst Kohler.

He said Africa needs to change these phenomena in order to gain the full benefits of its vibrant and very capable youth,

Mr Kufuor described Former President Kohler "as a good man whose love for the good humanity was fully exhibited during his time as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and as President of his country.

He recalled Mr Kohler's support to his government in the adoption of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries programme, which saw a huge proportion of Ghana's debts being cancelled by its bilateral creditors.

“President Kohler must share with us the successful completion of the programme in record time as our government kept to strict economic schedule and the IMF kept its promise, Former President Kufuor," it said.

Former President Kufuor who arrived in Berlin on Thursday will visit Brussels and Paris on an advocacy tour for the Global Network of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) of which he is Chairman.

He will also meet with Ministers of state and policy makers in the two countries to drum up more financial support and the prioritizing of the NTDs in their budgeting to help eradicate them.

He is expected back in Accra on Friday, March 15, 2013.