In television interviews with VOA's Africa Journal host Vincent Makori, President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia and President John Kufuor of Ghana discussed the need to improve democracy and economic freedom and stability for the people of Africa. Other topics included the upcoming G-8 Summit, debt-cancellation, democracy-building, and increased U.S.-African trade.
President Pohamba of Namibia encouraged all Africans, particularly African leaders, to join in the fight for democracy. "Democracy is irreversible. Democracy is here to stay [in Namibia]," said Pohamba. "We have to work for democracy in our countries, and a democracy, in most cases, is expressed through elections, through the wishes of the people," he added.
Ghana President Kufor praised the recent G-8 finance ministers' decision to cancel billions in debt owed by the world's poorest nations, adding, "Every bit of aid counts towards reducing Africa's debt burden."
In a radio interview with VOA's Hausa Service on Wednesday, President Tandja Mamadu of Niger identified poverty, hunger, and bad politicians as the greatest threat to the development of viable democracy in Niger and most parts of Africa. "Developing a viable democracy in a poor country such as Niger where poverty and hunger are commonplace is often difficult, " he said. "We told President Bush that we need help in these areas if democracy is to have a foothold."
The interviews can be found on VOA's website at www.VOANews.com.
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