Former German President Horst Kohler has stressed the need for young people’s views to be taken seriously and their participation in national issues encouraged.

He said when people are included in debates about their future, they act responsibly.

Mr Kohler, who arrived in the country late Monday, praised former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s initiative in setting up the J. A Kufour Foundation.

He said he had come to share Germany’s experiences with Ghana and to also learn from Ghanaians.

Mr Kohler is in Ghana to attend the launch of the J.A Kufour Foundation which is scheduled to take place from September 20 – 21.

He is expected to give a lecture on, “Walking the Tightrope: Balancing State, Market and Society” at the University of Ghana, Legon.

He was met on arrival by former President John Agyekum Kufour and staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.