General News of Wednesday, 13 April 2005

Source: GNA

West Africa is in transition towards peace and stability- JAK

Accra, April 13, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday said the West African Sub-Region was now in a transitional period towards peace and stability.

He said the many conflict areas were gradually moving towards stability and mentioned the parties in the Ivorian crisis that had agreed to compromise for peace to prevail, adding: "We are all hoping there would not be any relapse into hostilities."

President Kufuor made the observation when Mrs Ulla Toernaes, Danish Minister of Development and Cooperation, paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.

He said Ghana contributed troops towards peace building in Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau and recently played a major role in solving the Togolese Constitutional crisis that had paved the way for preparations towards democratic elections.

President Kufuor commended the Danish Government for its assistance in the health, agriculture and road sectors and budgetary support. Mrs Toernaes, who is on a visit to West Africa for the first time, commended Ghana for her hospitality and the efficient utilisation of resources and assistance provided by her country.

She is on a four-day inspection tour of some development projects in Ghana to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the cooperation between Ghana and Denmark. 13 April 05