Mr Hernando Desoto, a Peruvian economist and an accomplished development strategist, arrived in Accra on Saturday to launch a Foundation for building capital for poor people.
Also expected in the country for the ceremony was Former US President Bill Clinton.
Speaking to newsmen at the Kotoka International Airport, Mr Desoto said he decided to set up the Foundation in Ghana because the government had shown commitment to democratic principles by developing proper property documentation for the poor people and persons living in the rural areas.
This, he said conformed with similar measures by the Peruvian government on land reforms; adding poor people could generate wealth if their property and assets were incorporated into the mainstream of the country’s economy.
Mr Desoto said, ” The fact that the government is developing a property owing democracy shows that the country is right for the setting up of the foundation.”
He said former President Clinton’s love for Africa, especially Ghana got him involved in the launching of the Foundation in Ghana.
Nana Akuffo Addo, Minister of Justice, and Attorney General who met Mr Desoto on arrival said government was undertaking a drastic review of the land tenure system and it would move forward with the necessary innovations.
He said the work of the Foundation would be very useful in reforming the laws as well as to help make proposals and share experiences with countries that had succeeded with the Desoto principles.
Nana Addo said the Foundation would have a defined scope of work as well as informing and sharing information with the public for their support.
Also at the airport to welcome Mr Desoto was Mr Alfred Fawunda, United Nation Development Programme country Director.
Source: GhanaWeb
