President John Agyekum Kufuor recently concluded a three-day historic State Visit to the Buckingham Palace at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II.
President Kufuor is the first Ghanaian Head of State to be honoured.
Every year, the Queen invites two Heads of State to the Palace.
During his visit, President Kufuor also called on the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and took part in a number of activities at the Slave Museum marking the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
The most significant aspect of the visit, in our view, was the opportunity it afforded President Kufuor to update the Queen and Mr. Tony Blair on current developments in Ghana and what the future portends.
The Standard is pleased by the assurance from the Queen that Ghana could count on the United Kingdom as a dependable partner.
In our view, the multiplier effect of President Kufuor’s visit should result in more business transactions with Ghana which Britain ruled for many years.
British aid to Ghana has mainly been in the form of budgetary support, with emphasis on poverty reduction and improvement in health, education, rural infrastructure, water, capacity building, trade and private sector development.
In 2003 alone, Britain supported Ghana’s development effort with 110 million pounds sterling over three years.
It is therefore, reassuring that Mr. Blair has promised his country’s continued support towards Ghana’s development for the next ten years.
The outcome of the partnership will provide further impetus for Ghana’s industrial growth and the achievement of a middle-income status.
To continue to be in the good books of Britain, Ghana would have to intensify her fight against corruption, encourage the rule of law and good governance.
Having been recognised for his leadership role in Ghana, President Kufuor should ensure that he shines in his new role as the Chairman of the African Union (AU).
The Standard also welcomes Mr. Blair’s apology for the part his country played in the slave trade. This year marks the 200th anniversary of British abolition of slave trade.
On March 25, 1807, the UK Parliament passed a legislation abolishing the slave trade.
His appeal to the international community to end all forms of inhuman activities like discrimination is also commendable.
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