ACCRA, Ghana (AP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair (news - web sites) urged a new approach to aid for Africa on Friday, saying it should be based on a partnership between the struggling continent and the world's wealthiest nations.
"We need to be equal partners working together, and not like donor and recipient," Blair said in an address to Ghana's parliament on the second leg of a four-day West African tour.
He said aid should no longer be regarded as "a mere handout, but a handup to help people to help themselves."
Blair's visit to Britain's former colony precedes the Canadian G8 summit of industrialized nations in June. Members plan to study an ambitious aid and investment initiative for Africa.
To that end, African heavyweights — Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal and Algeria — are pushing support for the New Partnership for African Development.
The plan is as a package of trade and aid initiatives as well as help in ending civil wars and improving government throughout the continent.
Blair, who arrived Thursday night, has said Africa and the West have "the best chance in a generation" to make this work.
In the afternoon, President John Kufuor accompanied Blair on a trip to the interior where he visited a cocoa research institute at Tafo, about 75 miles northeast of Accra.
Addressing local farmers and businesspeople, Blair said Britain would push within the World Trade Forum for greater market access for African products.
But he cautioned African countries would need to invest in good government and legal systems that attract investment.
"Undemocratic and corrupt systems are a huge deterrent for investment," he said.
On the way to Tafo, Blair and Kufuor paid a courtesy call on the region's paramount chief Ofori Panin, where they were treated to a display of traditional drumming and dancing.
Panin praised Britain's role in the war against terrorism, saying his own people would "not live in peace if the world does not have peace."
He also asked for support improving the region's education, health and economic systems, emphasizing in particular the need to find a cure for AIDS (news - web sites), which has ravaged the continent.
"We are asking you to come as partners to make this world a better place for our children," said the chief, who wore brightly colored traditional robes with gold ornaments.
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