TICAD Goodwill Visit to Ghana by Misako Konno

In the run-up to the third Tokyo International Conference on African Development, Japanese actress and writer Misako Konno, who is a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, visited Ghana in July 2003.

Ms. Konno's purpose was to raise public awareness in Japan, where she is famous, and also around the world, about development issues vital to the African continent's future -- all of which will be taken up during TICAD III in Tokyo, 29 September to 1 October 2003.

During her four-day tour, she visited UNDP projects designed to promote democratic governance, greater involvement of the private sector in Ghana's economic and social development, and further implementation of information and communications technologies.

See video of her various encounters with Ghanaians from all walks of life.

Her mission, in keeping with her overall ambassadorial role, aimed to help build partnerships between the industrialized and developing worlds.

Ms. Konno has previously carried out wide-ranging missions since her appointment as Goodwill Ambassador by UNDP in 1998, including journeys to Palestine, Cambodia and the Kingdom of Bhutan.

This West African trip, with TICAD III shortly to take place in her home country, helped to focus attention on the special challenges facing Africa as it struggles to advance and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.