UK's Africa Development Minister to visit Ghana
The UK's Africa Development Minister, Stephen O'Brien MP, will visit Ghana from 21-23 July 2011 to review progress with the UK's development programme. A new plan for the UK's aid to Ghana, launched in May 2011, is focused on achieving substantial results in health and education, as well as supporting private sector growth to create prosperity and jobs.
Following the speech of the Secretary of State for International Development on 11 July, highlighting Africa as a continent of innovation, enterprise and opportunity, one of the key aims of Stephen O'Brien's visit will be to view this first-hand here in Ghana. He will visit a timber mill at the forefront of sustainable forestry and efficient use of timber; receive a briefing on the Jubilee Oil Field, a world-class field that has rapidly moved from discovery to production; and look at how big companies are working with small retailers to serve consumers in the farthest geographical and economic reaches of the market. The Minister will see how businesses like these have helped Ghana become one of the ten fastest growing economies in the world, alongside six others in Africa, and discuss what more can be done to ensure sustainable and equitable growth.
The Minister will meet the Vice President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to discuss the economy, oil and gas, and development in the north, and the UK government's existing and future support in these areas. In particular, the Minister and the Vice President will discuss progress in establishing the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), which is being supported by the UK. Stephen O'Brien will also meet the Minister of Trade, the Honourable Hannah Tetteh, to discuss the Government's private sector development plans and the benefits of increasing regional trade.
The Minister will travel to the Western Region to see how oil and gas, as well as other resources such as forestry, are supporting Ghana's rapid growth and poverty reduction. A particular emphasis of his discussions will be the importance of using Ghana's natural resources well. The Minister will also look at the how the UK is contributing towards safe pregnancy and childbirth, and see the preparations being made for the last stage of the Government's campaign for universal access to Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Bed Nets, the UK's support for which the Minister announced on his November 20100 visit.
Stephen O'Brien was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development on 13 May 20100. He is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Eddisbury. Prior to his appointment at DFID, he served as Shadow Minister for Health and Social Care, Shadow Minister for Skills and Higher Education, and Shadow Secretary of State for Industry. He was Chairman of the Malaria Consortium from 2006 to 20100, when he took up his Government posting.
This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform
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