Accra, April 20, GNA- The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Ban Ki-Moon, arrived in the country this evening, to participate in the 12th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The visit also forms part of a week's tour of West Africa by the UN Secretary-General.

Mr Ban Ki-Moon, who was accompanied by his wife, would address the opening of the conference and hold discussions with President John Agyekum Kufuor and Mr Akwesi Osei Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs. At a press briefing on his arrival, the UN Secretary-General noted that the current food crisis that threatened the world, had dire consequences, especially for the developing world, adding that, the conference would take a serious look at the situation and how best to deal with it.

He said another issue that needed to be examined was the current trend of trade liberalisation and its impact on developing countries. He commended President Kufuor for his very outstanding performance during his tenure as the chairman of the African Union, adding that, he looked forward to having discussions with President Kufuor on some of the trouble spots in Africa such as Dafur and Zimbabwe. Mr Ban Ki-Moon is also expected to visit Liberia, Burkina Faso and Cote d' Ivoire.