The British Secretary for Africa, Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, has stated that neither the global economy crisis nor the change of government in Ghana would affect UK’s assistance to the nation. Speaking to host of Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Kojo Oppon-Nkrumah, on Thursday, he said he was expected to meet President Atta Mills in the morning to announce UK’s unflinching support to his government. Lord Malloch-Brown said: “I will be offering him our wholehearted support and congratulations, I will be carrying him a message from the Queen. “We are just towards the end of first year of a three year aid programme to Ghana of £250m, and I would be telling him that programme would be continuing and we will be offering him the support around his priorities.” He also reminded Ghanaians of some achievements of former President J.A. Kufuor which should be continued for accelerated development. “I will also, of course, be stressing the respect we have for the achievements of President Kufuor and the hope that those will continue in terms, again, of the support to democracy and micro economy stability in the country and attention to poverty reduction and I am sure President Mills will be saying that he will want to do more.” Lord Malloch-Brown praised Ghana for the democratic way it changed its government, which was unusual of the flaws that had characterized similar elections he had witnessed across the globe. “I don’t think there is any country in the world which shouldn’t be hugely proud of the record of Ghana over the last few weeks…It is great beacon of democracy and an example to the region and the rest of the world.” Touching on the impact of the elections, he remarked that Ghana should expect significant boost in investment inflow. “What you have demonstrated is the kind of stability that foreign investors love”. He noted despite the financial crunch that has bedeviled several countries, if the current administration continues with this democratic reputation, “it is going to make Ghana very attractive and essentially giving very much polish reputation than many neighbors.” Lord Malloc-Brown further stated: “Ghana will have economic urge, will have a foreign investment urge and will be enthusiastic to be supported by donors like the UK and the World Bank and the European Union precisely because of this record and I think you will see the result in increase support and investment in the country.” He said it was worrying that some developed countries are backing out of their promises to developing countries, however, British aid programme, he said, will continue. He announced that British Prime Minister, Mr Godwin Brown, plans to use the G-20 summit to be held in London to let developed countries known that the global crisis is not only affecting them alone but it is also affecting the poor countries. “He is going to be pressing very hard with my help and other ministers to make sure we come out with solutions for Africa; ways to stimulate the economy of Africa to ensure that they are not negatively impacted.” Story by Isaac Essel