Accra (Greater Accra) 22 Jan. '98

Mr. Justice Daniel Francis Annan, speaker of parliament, said today that Ghana has laid a firm foundation for economic development with the structural adjustment programme. European countries should therefore reciprocate with direct foreign investment. While Ghana is doing its best to achieve economic independence, industrialized countries need to appreciate the real needs of the sub-region and give it the necessary exposure. Mr. Justice Annan said this when he met an 11 member delegation from Finland led by Mr. Markus Aaltonen, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Finnish parliament. The delegation is the highest ever from Finland to Ghana and is in the country to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. It is also to afford the members the opportunity to learn more about the sub-region since Finland takes over the presidency of he EU in the latter part of 1999. Mr. Justice Annan said the African situation demands special consideration and advocated for bilateral economic relations that goes beyond the orthodox Lome convention which focuses on direct foreign investment and balance of trade. Mr. Aaltonen pledged his country's support in the form of technology transfer in the wood and paper industry. Present at the meeting were the leadership of both sides of the house and members of the foreign affairs committee. The delegation has already visited Burkina Faso, Cote D'ivoire and Senegal. gri