President John Agyekum Kufuor said the African Union being envisaged must reflect the commitment of its member states to democracy, the rule of law and the protection and promotion of human rights.

He said the Union should also address the problem of protecting the environment, the eco-system and the struggle to eradicate diseases especially the HIV/AIDS pandemic from the continent.

President Kufuor was addressing the on-going three-day 37th Ordinary Session of the Heads of States and Government of the OAU in Lusaka, Zambia.

Speaking on the theme "From the OAU to the African Union" President Kufuor said parochial interests and outmoded nationalism should give way to a strong United States of Africa (USA) that would position Africa to make a competitive entry into the globalisd world.

He said the highest organs of the Union, the Assembly and the Executive Council to be headed by the Secretary General must see to this, adding "they should be shinning examples of transparency and accountability in the exercise of their functions both at the national and international levels".

President Kufuor said it was in this regard that Ghana welcomes the radical provisions enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the Union that rejects impunity and empowers the Union to intervene in a member State to halt war crimes and genocide being perpetrated against African peoples.

President Kufuor said Ghana also believes that unconstitutional means of changing governments on the continent was an anachronism and should not be tolerated under any circumstance.

"The Union must usher in a new era of mutual respect among member states, governments and peoples as well as the respect for the sanctity of human life not forgetting the environment".

He pledged Ghana's determination to join forces with all the peoples of Africa in the pursuit and attainment of their shared goal.

President Kufuor paid glowing tribute to the OAU, which has given birth to the out-going Secretary-General Dr Salim Ahmed Salim who for 12 years has been the dynamic driving force behind the OAU, which has been the prime mover that has kept Africa together.

He said by its dogged efforts in the face of formidable obstacles, the OAU has kept the concept of African Unity alive in the hearts and minds of many Africans by the various landmark initiatives.

President Kufuor congratulated Mr Amara Essy, a Career Diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs for La Cote D'Ivoire on his appointment as the new Secretary General for the next four years that would see the transition from OAU to AU.