Mills, three others earn US praise

President Atta Mills

US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has praised President John Evans Atta Mills and his colleague African leaders attending this weekend's G8 Summit for their role in tackling food insecurity on the continent.

She described them as bold leaders the Obama administration together with the private sector will support to reduce global hunger and poverty.

Mrs. Clinton was speaking at a reception ahead of a food security symposium today which aims to tackle global food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition.

“These gentlemen [John Mills of Ghana; Jekaya Kikwete of Tanzania; Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia] are here because they understand the opportunity that is being presented…the true partnership, the global partnership around the ending of food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition. And we are very impressed that you have taken this leadership position and the time to be with us here.

“We want to support and build up countries who have leaders like those here before you to take their rightful place of leadership by regionally and globally.”

President Barrack Obama is expected to deliver the keynote address at the food security symposium later today with Presidents Mills, Jekaya Kikwete of Tanzania and Prime Minister Zenawi of Ethiopia being discussants.

Policy think tank IMANI Ghana is however casting doubts the participation of Africa will guarantee improved food security on the continent.

Its Communications Director, Selorm Brantie says African countries do not need such meetings with world powers to solve their agricultural problems.

Meanwhile, international NGO Oxfam is asking the African leaders to hold the G8 countries accountable for unfulfilled promises made in previous summits.