President John Agyekum Kufuor on Wednesday said democracy was making headway in many African countries while the days of warlords and military adventurists were receding into history.

"African governments are showing more sensitivity to the plight of their people," he said.

President Kufuor was addressing the opening session of the two-day Annual Policy Forum of the Global Coalition for Africa (GCA) in Accra.

The Forum under the theme "Security and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)" is to review aspects of security in Africa, including the security dimensions of NEPAD.

About 150 participants, including current and former heads of state and government, ministers and Senior officials from development partners, international organisations, parliamentarians and representatives of the private sector, civil society and the media, are attending.

The GCA is an innovative inter-governmental forum that brings together key political, business and civic actors from African and partner countries to deepen dialogue and build consensus on Africa's priority development issues.

The first meeting of the GCA was held in Gaborone, Botswana, on October 25, 2001.