Ghana Calls On ACP, EU To Seek New Modalities

The President of Ghana, Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, yesterday, asked the African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) and the European Union (EU) partnership to seek new modalities to facilitate their respective entry into the World Trade Organisation agreements competitively, profitably and with dignified interdependence.

He said the ACP countries are determined to empower people to take advantage of the ever-increasing opportunities which will help them to integrate meaningfully into the world systems and impact positively on their development.

The President made this statement at the opening ceremony of the 6th ACP summits in Accra.

'My experience in the Presidency has confirmed to me that respect for human rights, democracy, the rule of law, coupled with free and fair elections are essential to good governance and the development of peace and security everywhere', he said.

The four-day summit has brought together over 76 ACP states and the EU. It is aimed at discussing the global food crises, energy crises, the status of the economic partnership agreement and the future of the ACP group and climate change, hence the theme ' Promoting Human Security and Development'.

Mr Kufuor, said in the wake of the financial crises, ACP Leaders are anticipated to discuss the problem with its likely effect on their economy.

The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Kevin Rudd, in a speech read on his behalf said, Australia want to partner with Africa to make a contribution to development, security and to tackle global challenges and also to encourage Australia business and commercial engagement with Africa.

He said Australia is committed to reinvigorating relationship with the countries of the Caribbean which share membership of the Commonwealth.

The Prime Minster noted that the challenges facing the world from the current uncertainty in financial systems to climate change and food security should remind the world that inter-independency is greater than any time before.

Mr Rudd said Australia has a strong commitment to the Millennium Development Goals which lie at the heart of international development challenge.

' We share the assessment made by President Kufuor at the General Assembly last week that the world need to co-ordinate its efforts more effectively to meet these goals', he said.