United Nations Radio

Ghana says it attaches importance to trade, investment and development. Minister of Trade Joe Badu-Ansah says Ghana has benefited greatly from the global expansion in the last few years with its GDP growing by 6.3 per cent in 2007.

Minister Badu-Ansah made his comments Thursday at the flag-raising ceremony in Accra where the UN Conference on Trade and Development -UNCTAD opens its 12th session Sunday under the theme "Addressing opportunities and challenges of globalization for development".

The conference opens at a time when spiraling food prices brought on by the high cost of oil, coupled with low agricultural output have led to unrest and food riots in a number of countries.

But Minister badu-Ansah says this is a promising time for development and Ghana has "done well as a country".

"The fact is we are doing very well overall but many people are not yet sharing the benefits of this progress. Our continent in particular has not yet succeeded in throwing off the chains of poverty. This is a problem for the world to tackle and settle. We must do everything we can to try to make sure everyone shares in this wealth created by globalization. Development must be inclusive."

The Ghanaian trade minister says poverty has been significantly reduced; primary school enrolment which represents the collective investment in the future has risen rapidly.

And he hopes the current gains made will make a significant contribution to the development of all.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for UN Radio, Accra, Ghana.

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