Accra, July 11, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor returned home on Thursday night from Hokkaido, Japan, where he attended this year's Group of Eight (G8) Summit from July 7-9.

Briefing newsmen on arrival, Mr. Andrew Awuni, Presidential Spokesperson and Press Secretary to the President, said the Summit, along other global issues, discussed Africa's performance towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, challenges facing social, economic and political growth in Africa, as well as the impact of the food and fuel crisis on the continent.

He said conflict areas on the continent, such as Darfur and Somalia, were also discussed. Mr. Awuni said Zimbabwe's political situation took centre stage at the summit, adding that, the discussions reflected the dissatisfaction of the leaders with the dispensation of democracy in the southern African country.

He said President Kufuor, who was attending the Summit for the last time as President, thanked the G8 leaders for the confidence they had reposed in him during his tenure of office and briefed them about his preparations to leave office.

Among those at the airport to meet President Kufuor were the Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Ministers of State, and senior military and police personnel. 11 July 08