Vice President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the United Kingdom would support Ghana with 36 million pound sterling, through the Department for International Development (DFID) to facilitate the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The money would be co-ordinated through the multi-donor budget (MDBS) support to assist the health, education, water supply and other crucial services.
The Vice President announced this during an encounter with Mr Henry Bellingham, the UK Minister for Africa and Member of Parliamentfor Northwest Norfolk at the Institute of Economic Affairs in Accra.
The visiting Minister is in the country to interact with the country's political and economic think tanks to find solutions to democratic and governance challenges.
Mr. Mahama commended the UK for its tremendous support to Ghana and expressed government’s preparedness to team up with British firms for joint ventures to increase trade and investments.
"I want to express appreciation to the UK government for her support and assistance to Ghana through the DFID and other agencies which contributed to the reduction of poverty through improved health delivery, access to education, rural development, capacity building, trade and private sector development."
He said since 2003, Britain had contributed 25 million Euros representing 20 per cent of the MDBS to Ghana.
The Vice President said UK under the Global Fund had supported Ghana's HIV and AIDS, Malaria and tuberculosis programmes towards the achievement of the MDGs.
"With the assistance of the Global fund, Ghana has succeeded in scaling up interventions for the treatment and prevention of malaria, including the distribution of 2.7 million Euro insecticide-treated bed nets, which has contributed to the decline in child mortality between 2000 and 2008."
He appealed to civil society organisations to hold government accountable by denouncing issues that tend to undermine peace, unity, growth and development of the country.
Mr Bellingham who presented a paper on: "Shared prosperity, shared security and shared values, a solid foundation for the future," commended government for exhibiting democracy, good governance and the rule of law over the years.
"The democratic progress made by Ghana over the last 20 years is a lesson for us all. There may be 79 different languages in Ghana, but you speak with one voice for democracy," he added.
The Minister said the UK would learn from Ghana's ability to unite different ethnic groups, migration populations, traditional and modern leadership while promoting rapid development of modern technologies like mobile phones.
"Ghana's ability to build coalitions with society-chiefs, churches, politicians, businessmen and women-is indicative of the single-minded purpose shared by the nation."
He said the collaboration between the UK and Ghana in 'Operation Westbridge', a law enforcement programme had since 2006 succeeded in seizing close to 600 kilogram's of cocaine, 250 kilogram's of heroin and close to 2000 kilogram's of cannabis.
The exercise has been extended to Nigeria he concluded.
According to the foreign minister , Alhaji Mohammad Mumuni Ghana would use her experience in democracy, rule of law and good governance to educate her neighbours on the need for peace, unity and tolerance for development.
Ministers for the environment science and technology, Ms sherry Aryitey and employment and social welfare, Mr. E.T Mensah also made meaningful contributions.
Story: Irene Ata-Donto
18/2/11
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