Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “Africa is a vast continent formed by over 50 countries, many of which have gained independence in the last 40-50 years and are still working to overcome the negative consequences left behind from colonialism. Among these negative consequences are the artificially imposed borders that separate nationalities and ethnic groups.” With these words, Ghana’s President John Agyekum Kufour explained some of the reasons behind the instability found in many African countries, in a press conference on January 6 in Rome, which was also attended by Agenzia Fides. Ghana’s Head of State and President of the African Union, began negotiations between Kenyan President Kibaki and opposition leader Odinga, who currently continues under the direction of Ghanaian Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the UN. Despite the crises that afflict the African countries, the President of Ghana appears optimistic in light of the progress being made: “In comparison with the situation just a few years ago, many African countries no longer have dictators and democracy continues moving forward. Of course, we must be patient and allow these changes to take shape.”
One of the reasons for his visit to the Italian capital has been the presentation of the UN’s World Food Program (WFP), a program made to provide food supply for schools that was begun in Ghana and has been successful in doubling school attendance in a matter of only a few years. President Kufour explained that the program is designed to provide food for students from ages 4-15, regardless of ethnic background, religion, or gender. The project is definitely a priority for the Ghanaian government that, under the leadership of President Kufour, has decided to introduce new technologies in order to meet the needs of all the country’s students, improving the quality of school programs. The plan includes using fiber optic cables to create a net among the secondary schools of Ghana, allowing for possibilities such as distance-learning and the availability of courses in information technology. Ghana is one of Africa’s most advanced countries in this field and hopes to introduce these technologies for the good of its own economic development.
Describing his presidential mandate, the Ghanaian President says that he has taken the opportunity to implement a policy rooted in values that create peace, democracy, respect for the law and for individual and collective rights. “My party shares these principles, however without the support of the Ghanian people, they would never have been able to implement my program,” President Kufour concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 7/2/2008 righe 33, parole 413)
