Accra, June 15, GNA - Ghana's former Vice President, Professor John Evans Atta Mills on Friday expressed concern about the deteriorating conditions in most African countries in the face of increasing crises of disease and inadequacies of resources.

He said: "Africa's effort to solve the problems of the continent has been hampered by serious setbacks in, low commodity prices, low levels foreign investment, and a generally poor level of support from developed sectors of the global economy."

Prof. Mills, who was addressing delegates at the Africa Regional Meeting of the Socialist International Worldwide group in Accra, noted that the global situation had reduced African governments' capacity to address their commitment to most vulnerable segments of the populations who continued to bear the heavy burdens imposed by a world economic system.

The Accra meeting would focus on three themes: "Pro-active policies for the resolution of conflicts," "The fight against poverty: social democratic programme and priorities", and "Democratic governance on the continent."

Under the auspices of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), it is to climax the party's 15th anniversary celebration. Participants were from over 40 socialist political parties worldwide. Pro. Mills said the iron laws of a brutal capitalist order, which had little sympathy for the poor, had garrisoned the circumstances of the vulnerable in Africa.

"We continue to be constrained by the practices of the global market - receive less and less for our commodities whilst the advanced economies continue to reap huge returns from the sale of the goods through our primary products."

Prof Mills, who is the NDC Flag bearer for Elections 2008 said in spite of the challenges, the Socialists political parties believe the tenets of social democracy remain unbending.

"This belief is shored up by our boundless confidence in the goodwill and solidarity of not only our fraternal parties in the developed countries, but also more crucially on the common experiences that link us all in the singular endeavour to end hunger, illiteracy, disease and poverty," he said.

He urged African Socialists political parties to refashion the tools with which to strengthen the bonds of solidarity and common purpose as parties that had an abiding belief in the progressive cause. "As Social Democratic Parties of Africa, the challenges of a meaningful development face us.

"This must be development with a human face, directed towards satisfying people's needs in the vital areas of education, health, providing access to basic social amenities such as water, energy and at the same time guaranteeing social stability and environment, safe for human existence," he said.

Mr. Luis Ayala, Secretary General of the Socialist International, said SI origins date to the early international organisations of the labour movement, which existed in its present form since 1951. It currently comprises 161 social democratic, socialist and labour parties and organisations from all continents. Mr Ayala used the platform to appeal to governments in conflict zones in Africa and other parts of the world to use dialogue as means of resolving conflicts.

"We appeal to the entire international community to explore every possible means of dialogue to resolve problems peacefully, and refrain from the use of force," he said. 15 June 07