The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton has lauded President John Evans Atta Mills and the three other African heads of state who are attending the 38th G8 Summit in the US for their leadership roles in tackling food insecurity and malnutrition in their countries.

She described them as bold leaders who the Obama administration together with the private sector will want to support to reduce global hunger and poverty.

The other three leaders are Jekaya Kikwete of Tanzania, AU Chairman and Benin's Thomas Yayi Boni and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia.

Mrs Clinton said this at a reception for the four African leaders, representatives of the G8 member countries and the private sector, which has supported the Obama administration to address global food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition.

President Mills, AU Chairman and President of Benin, Thomas Yayi Boni, President Jekaya Kikwete of Tanzania and the immediate past AU Commission Chairman, Dr Jean Ping among a host of other dignitaries attended the reception, which was held on the premises of the State Dept. Mrs. Clinton said that the bold leadership roles President Mills and his three other colleagues have adopted is worthy of emulation.

“These gentlemen are here because they understand the opportunities that is being presented they have a true partnership , a global partnership around the ending of food insecurity hunger and malnutrition…we want to support and buildup countries who have leaders like those here before you to take their rightful place of leadership regionally and globally,” Mrs. Hillary Clinton said.

Mrs. Clinton said statistics show that about one billion people worldwide suffer from chronic hunger and 75 percent of poor people who live in rural areas depend solely on agriculture for their livelihood. It is for this reason that the Obama administration has made agriculture and food security a priority.

“By improving agriculture we can together strike a powerful blow against both hunger and poverty…and that is why food security is a priority of the Obama administration; it is both the smart thing to do and the right thing to do. It is a moral imperative to help people escape hunger and poverty, it is an economic imperative to spread prosperity, create rising incomes, give people the chance to give their own children a better future…it is a strategic imperative.” She noted.

The former US first lady said the remarkable successes being chalked up in food production can be compared to the first green revolution. She therefore called on the private sector to continue to support agriculture with their money and expertise.

“We need you investment, your expertise; your global reach and your commitment to result. We are poised for the kind of breakthrough we haven’t seen since the green revolution…” she said.

This morning a symposium on global agriculture and food security will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building International Trade Centre in Washington, DC. President Barrack Obama will deliver the keynote address. Presidents Mills, Kikwete and Prime Minister Zenawi will be discussants.**