Accra, Jan. 30, GNA - The Government was determined to continue down the path of democratic consolidation and enhanced governance so that the principles of democratic accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law would become deeply embedded in our nation's body politic, Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo said on Monday. "Our people want to live in a modern state governed on progressive principles," he said, when he proposed the toast at a luncheon in honour of the visiting Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Mr Ban Ki-Moon in Accra.

Nana Akufo-Addo said side-by-side with this commitment was the objective of modernizing the economy so that the Government could compete effectively in the global economy.

He noted that strengthening the private sector within a vigorous performing market was key to the realization of the objective, for it enabled Ghana to improve the prospects of national self-reliance and competition.

"Already, the process of economic decline has been arrested and a solid foundation, with a sound macro-economic framework, is now being laid to permit the long-awaited take-off of our economy."

Nana Akufo-Addo expressed Ghana's gratitude to the Republic of Korea for its assistance and cooperation under the Technical, Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, particularly its participation in the Buipe-Bolgatanga Petroleum Pipeline Project.

The Minister noted that the volume of trade between the two countries was low and proposed that Korean businessmen bought cocoa and cocoa products directly from Ghana.

Nana Akufo-Addo said Ghana was fully committed to doing her bit to ensure a peaceful and just world order.

He noted that the Republic of Korea was making efforts to ensure peace, unity and prosperity for all the people of the Korea Peninsula, saying, "we earnestly hope that the Sunshine Policy of the Korean people, which has won the approval of the international community, would help to attain this noble objective".

Nana Akufo-Addo called for the strengthening of the United Nations to enable it to reflect the realities and thereby address effectively the challenges of the time.

"It is this belief which drives Africa's goal for full representation in all the decision-making organs of the UN, particularly the Security Council.

"It is time the historic injustice of Africa's exclusion from the category of permanent members of the Security Council - indeed, the only Continent to be so denied - is rectified."

Nana Akufo-Addo noted that Mr Ban was a candidate for the UN Secretary-General's position and said Ghana would take a decision in concert with members of ECOWAS and African Union. 30 Jan. 06