Kufuor Launched Brazil Africa Institute

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has launched the Brazil Africa Institute in Accra with the call on leaderships of Ghana and Brazil to foster relations that would be mutually beneficial.

He said both Ghana and Brazil had a lot to learn from each other and the launch of the institute would serve as the bridge on which they would move on to cement their relations.

Ghana is the first country the Institute is establishing its office in Africa since its establishment in Brazil years back.

The Brazil Africa Institute is a non-profit organisation aiming to promote the engagement between Brazil and the African continent, championing economic development for governments and private sector's interests.

Its main objective is to facilitate an open debate between government agents, academics and entrepreneurs on issues of interests to Brazil and Africa and design proposals for the formulation of cooperation policy between Brazil and Africa.

It will also draw up a strategic plan for the potential opportunities for Brazilian companies with the African continent and vice versa in different areas and facilitate socio, political and cultural rapprochement between Brazil and the African continent, focusing its actions on economic and social development and promotion, combating poverty, valuing ethics, peace, citizenship, respect for human rights, democracy and other universal values.

Its Vision is to be identified as an institution that seeks the materialisation of opportunities between Brazil and Africa through initiatives of sustainable development.

Former President Kufuor said Ghana and Brazil had been political twins as the relations between them reached the ascendency when he was President of Ghana and Lula Da Silva was also the President of Brazil.

'It was not surprising that both of us got nominated for the World Food Prize.'

Professor Joao Bosco Monte, President of the Institute said Ghana was selected as the first grounds for the establishment of the Institute because of so many enabling factors adding 'I see Ghana as the gateway to Africa and that is why we did not hesitate to establish our office here.'

He said on November 22 and 23, the Institute would organise a forum with African countries in Salvador that would highlight on Agriculture, Health, Education, Public Service, Tourism, ICT among other areas.

Professor Monte holds a PhD in Education from the Federal University of Ceará and Postdoctoral studies from the University of Brasilia (UNB), with the object of research on the integration of the African continent.

He is a visiting professor of important Brazilian and African universities and is the author of books and publications about the relations between the various international actors.

Also in attendance were; Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister of Food and Agriculture, Madam Abena Busia, Ghana's Ambassador to Brazil, Madam Maria Elisa de Luna, Brazilian Ambassador to Ghana among others.