hope for real economic prosperity Ghana President tells International Labour
Organisation (ILO)
5 June 2007
Ghana's President and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), John Kufour,
has called for constructive engagement with Africa's allies for a meaningful
development of the continent. Kafour was speaking at a meeting with workers,
employers and government delegates from the continent after addressing a
special sitting at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva today,
Monday, 5 June 2007.
"Currently, Africa is like a pretty lady that's courted by all in the world.
Let's test the genuineness of liaisons we have with the European Union (EU) and
other international formations and seek partnerships in development
initiatives," Kufour told delegates.
"For instance the Congo River has a great potential for generating
hydro-energy that could supply the whole continent and some parts of Europe,"
he said. Kufour said it was high time Africa worked together through Nepad to
identify continental projects and exploit the natural riches that the continent
has.
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, as Chairperson of the Governing Body
in the International Labour Organisation, supported the Ghanaian President's
call. "It is good to see that other African Heads of State are now embracing
the Nepad's goals. Africa is richly endowed with minerals, crude oil and water.
All we need is to pull together," he said.
Referring to Africa's failure to elect a president for this session of the
International Labour Conference, the Minister added: "With all the humiliation
of last week, President Kufour has now raised our spirits and hope as
Africa."
The leader of the workers' delegation at the ILC, National Council of Trade
Unions (Nactu) President Joseph Maqekeni, said: "It is important for Africa to
approach the world as a collective as more would be achieved that way. It is
also important to foster mutual respect between government, employers and the
workers to be able to push for one goal â the development of human
capital."
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 083 906 3878
E-mail: zolisa.sigabi@labour.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Labour
5 June 2007
