Ghana benefitting from HIPC Initiative - JAK

Accra, June 21, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday said Ghana was deriving the right dividends from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative the Government opted for, in 2001 with the debt cancellation by the development partners. "Today, truly Ghana is deriving the right dividends of the HIPC Initiative with the debt cancellation by her development partners", he said when Mr Stefan Frowein, Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) paid a farewell call on him at the Castle, Osu. President Kufuor said the Government on assumption of power in 2001 was searching for solutions to the numerous socio-economic problems facing the country due to stagnation in all aspects of Ghana's development, adding, "we did not have much to do but to opt for the HIPC Initiative". He commended the EU for its support and understanding to Ghana's development that had culminated in the provision of assistance for infrastructure development especially roads. President Kufuor mentioned the Axim Junction to Tarkwa road that had been neglected for a very long period, the on-going rehabilitation of the Kumasi-Techiman road that would be a monument in the relationship between Ghana and the EU as well as the Kumasi-Abuakwa-Bibiani road. He said the support by the EU for rural development in Ghana were remarkable, following the rehabilitation of feeder roads, especially in cocoa producing areas and multi-donor budgetary support that had been an effective agency to pull support from donor partners for Ghana's budget. President Kufuor expressed appreciation to Mr Frowein saying, " you made a lot of difference in Ghana." Mr Frowein said his four-year duty tour in Ghana had been a great pleasure and he gained a lot of experience and learnt lessons from the Government, Ministers of State, Public and Civil Servants. He said any institution that worked with the EU was always available to offer the needed assistance and this had led to increase in the number of the EU staff in Ghana. Mr Frowein said, "it is sad to go but I will always remember Ghana, a country of great experience and loving people." He is being posted to Bangladesh.