Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 05/26 - Though Africa has increased the momentum for integration and development, it was continually affected by foreign institutional arrangements and policies, Ghana`s President John Agyekum Kufuor said here Friday.

Speaking at the celebration of Africa Day as current Chairman of the African Union (AU), Kufuor said exogenous policies had a negative impact on African economies.

"Africa has made remarkable progress, but the progress we have made so far should not induce in us a feeling of complacency," he said, urging AU Member States to launch continental projects in the areas of energy, telecommunications and, infrastructure in order to boost development and attract more investments to Africa.

This year`s Africa Day was celebrated under the theme, `Strengthening Africa`s place in the world through strategic, balanced and responsible partnership`.

"The goodwill, willingness and commitment already demonstrated by the international community to support the AU in its work towards the successful development of the continent offers real opportunities for deepening the relationship through strategic, balanced and responsible partnership to enhance our efforts," Kufuor said.

As head of the AU, Kufuor expressed personal satisfaction about the preparatory work that the AU Commission has undertaken to initiate regional and continental consultations on a Government of African Unity.