New
Swiss Envoy Presents Credentials
By Yusuf
Alghali
President
Ahmad Tejan Kabbah has told the new Swiss Ambassador
to Sierra Leone, Mr. George Zubler, that African
leaders "are striving to achieve the goals
and objectives of a united and prosperous continent
by collectively taking such initiatives as the
New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)".
Speaking
after the envoy formally presented his credentials
at the Lodge today, President Kabbah said the
continent's leaders were also actively participating
in "regional and sub-regional groupings
such as the African Union and the Economic Community
of West African States ECOWAS to facilitate
cooperation in the political and socio-economic
arena".
He
indicated his agreement with envoy Zubler that
"Africa suffers from unfavourable terms
of trade, a reverse flow of investment capital
and a general negative perception of the continent",
conditions which he said present "serious
obstacles to Africa's economic development and
political stability".
However,
President Kabbah observed that the increased
level of cooperation among African leaders,
and between them and leaders of developed countries
provide a feeling of hope that these obstacles
could be overcome.
"A
consensus is emerging that among the key developmental
challenges facing the continent are the restoration
of peace, security and stability; entrenchment
of good governance; elimination of corruption
and resumption of accelerated and sustainable
growth; poverty reduction, consolidation of
democratic institutions as well as the redefinition
of relationships among partners in progress,"
he noted.
The
Head of State, who acknowledged Switzerland
as "a steady source of support during trying
times in our history, hoped that the government
and people of Sierra Leone could continue to
count on the Swiss
government's assistance towards rebuilding their
w
ar
ravaged economy.
-End-
