Wolfowitz Seeks African Leaders’ Backing

Paul D. Wolfowitz, seeking support for his beleaguered leadership as president of the World Bank, is turning for help to the one group at the bank that aides say he has focused on the most, the leaders of sub-Saharan Africa, bank officials say.At a news conference on Saturday, as hundreds of delegates circulated in Washington and speculated about Mr.

Wolfowitz’s future, several finance ministers of African countries said he had done an outstanding job in increasing aid to Africa and demanding an end to corruption.“He has been a visionary,” said Antoinette Sayeh, finance minister of Liberia, which has received considerable bank assistance following its conflicts of a couple years ago. “We’re very grateful for his leadership in getting where we are today.

We look forward to that continuing.”Rama Sithanen, a deputy prime minister of Mauritius, said Mr. Wolfowitz had been “supportive of the reforms in our country.” He said Mr. Wolfowitz “has apologized for what has happened” regarding the favoritism shown to his companion, Shaha Ali Riza, who is employed at the bank, and should be dealt with in a way that was “commensurate” with his mistakes.

REGSEC issues statement on coronation of Ga Mantse

Following concerns raised about security during the proposed coronation of the new Ga King slated for Saturday, April 14, 2007, a meeting of the Greater Accra Regional Security Council (REGSEC) was convened to discuss the security arrangements and related matters in respect of the event. This was contained in a statement issued by the office of the REGSEC and signed for the Regional Minister by the Chief Director.

The statement said, "further to the briefing given by the members of the Regional Security Council, REGSEC hereby appeals to stakeholders to be circumspect in their utterances, behaviour and action. REGSEC also appeals for peace, calm and harmony during this period. "REGSEC has directed that the security agencies should take necessary action to avert any breach of the peace and to bring to book any person who will attempt to foment trouble and cause confusion. "Meanwhile, REGSEC has directed that the security agencies should be on high alert to ensure that security of the region is not breached."GNA

Togolose Refugees to be repatriated

The UNHCR, the Governments of Ghana and Togo on Thursday signed a Tripartite Agreement to Facilitate Voluntary Repatriation of Togolese Refugees from Ghana.The agreement, which was signed in the Togolese capital, Lome seeks to facilitate the voluntary return of Togolese refugees who have been in Ghana since 1992.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ghana's Foreign Minister Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Togolese counterpart Zrifou Ayeva, signed for their countries, while the UNHCR Representative in Ghana, Ms. Aida Haile Mariam, signed for the UNbody. The delegation from Ghana included Nana Akufo-Addo , Mr McArios A. Akanbong, Assistant Director-Legal and Consular Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. M.A. Bawumia, Ministry of the Interior.

Also in attendance were various members of the diplomatic community including USA, China and the European Union.Given some interest expressed by a portion of Togolese refugees in returning home, UNHCR and the respective governments are putting in place a legal framework to govern possible voluntary repatriation to Togo.Voluntary repatriation is the most preferred durable solution option for refugees. Ghana hosts some 50,600 refugees, 12,326 of them being Togolese.The Ghanaian Foreign Minister later paid courtesy calls on the new Togolese Prime Minister, Mr. Agboyibor, and the Togolese President, Mr. Faure Gnassingbe.

The meetings, which were held behind closed doors, centered on Ghana-Togo relations and on regional and continental issues. The Togolese President praised the efforts of the Ghanaian President and AU Chairman, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, towards the establishment of peace in the region and continent and hailed him as a great friend of Togo.
Source:GNA

Veep to attend business forum in South Africa

Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, leaves Accra on Monday, April 16, 2007 to attend the Ghana-South Africa Business Investment Forum being organised by the Ghana Mission in Pretoria. The two-day forum is being collaborated by the Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC), to climax activities lined up in South Africa to mark Ghana's 50 anniversary celebration.

A letter signed by Dr Jimmy B. Heyman, Ghana's High Commissioner to South Africa said the forum would attract the much needed Foreign Direct Investment into Ghana. The function would attract ministers of state, chief executives of private businesses and heads of relevant government agencies from Ghana and South Africa. Mr Akwasi Osei Adjei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, NEPAD and Regional Integration and officials from GIPC and Ghana Export Promotion Council would accompany Vice President Mahama.GNA