Blair to outline new deal for Africa

Blair: Invited to address Ghana's leaders

		By Nick Assinder BBC News Online Political Correspondent, travelling with the prime minister in Africa

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is to underline his commitment to offer both economic and military aid to conflict-hit African states during a speech to the parliament in Ghana.

The prime minister received the unprecedented invitation to address the country's political leaders in the capital, Accra, after his keynote speech in Nigeria on Thursday.

It was a clear sign that his much-criticised tour of west Africa is increasingly being viewed as significant by the region's leaders.

The West wants to see more stability in African nations

But the latest leg of his whirlwind tour of four countries comes as problems over possible industrial action by teachers and postal workers intensify at home.

Mr Blair is certain to face yet more criticism for being out of the country at such a time, but he believes he can concentrate on both domestic and international issues.

He is absolutely committed to his African mission and believes the majority of the British public are also concerned about tackling poverty and instability on the continent.

His unexpected invitation to address the parliament in Accra will offer him ammunition in his claim that his trip is worthwhile.

He will use the off-the-cuff remarks to flesh out his proposals on changing the nature of financial aid to the region.

He believes the traditional practice of simply offering cash as a "handout" to the developing countries is flawed and fails to lead to lasting change.

Britain already has troops in Sierra Leone

Instead, he wants to tie such aid to good governance as a way of "empowering people" to get their economies on a sound footing. It is a "we help you best when you help yourselves" policy which he has long been promoting.

At the same time, the prime minister is to offer - on a similar basis - more military aid to African countries facing internal conflicts. Aides stressed he wanted to "help them build their own capacity for for conflict resolution".

Mr Blair is not prepared to send more British troops into Africa but is willing to extend the programme of advice and training of local forces which already operates in some areas of the continent.

Before addressing parliament in Ghana, he will present a paper fleshing out his offer to a special seminar on conflict resolution at the country's armed forces command and staff college.

He will develop his themes of how the huge problem of small arms in particular can be tackled and how the countries can be helped to handle their own peacekeeping operations under the umbrella of the United Nations.

Following his speech to the parliament he will travel outside the capital to meet tribal chiefs before going on the visit the country's cocoa research institute and a cocoa co-operative.

Ghana is the second largest chocolate producer in the world and the prime minister wants to work towards opening up global markets for the produce.