Civil society groups are asking for comprehensive policies in favour of developing countries to facilitate their trade, industrialization and development at the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) XII expected to take place in Accra from April 17-19, 2008.

Due to this, various civil society organizations have began making inputs into a declaration that will be presented at the conference.

Already, a drafting group has been set up following a meeting between international steering group and the civil society organizations who attended a hearing on UNCTAD XII in Geneva last January.

It has also urged the media to show interest in the conference as trade issues have tended to be important in national development.

“Our vital performance is the fact that the Director General of UNCTAD, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi has agreed to devote some time to the non-governmental organizations forum that will take place during the conference,” a concerned official said.

Meanwhile, at a press briefing on civil segment on UNCTAD XII conference, Anna Antwi of Action Aid called for the need to address challenges of globalization and its implications on food security.

She intimated that most policies drafted do not favour small scale farmers.

Ibrahim Akabilla of Ghana Trade Livelihood Coalition on his part said the local people should be considered when investment laws are drafted.

He described the UNCTAD conference as a platform for developing countries to push their developmental agenda.

The UNCTAD conference, the organization's highest forum which brings together high government officials, is held every four years.

The conference will draw about four to five thousand delegates including heads of states, trade ministers, UN officials, non-governmental organizations and the media.

It is under the theme: “Addressing the Opportunities and Challenges of Globalization and Development”.

By Charles Nixon Yeboah