Eight African countries have officially declared their candidacy for the two Security Council seats that form part of a broader framework of reform initiated by the UN Secretary General, Busumuru Kofi Annan.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Wednesday on the criteria for the selection of Africa's representatives on the UN Security Council under the reforms, Dr Jonah emphasised that the two countries represented the north-south divide as well as represent the geographical, economic powers and had contributed enormously towards continental and world peace.

He explained that the economic ramification of the membership of the UN Security Council was an enormous one.

"It goes with obligations to dip your hands into your pocket (budget) to support UN operations throughout the world…a country that is economically prosperous, a country which has exhibited a positive role towards peace and security and commands respect within and outside the region."

Dr Jonah said the two countries also represented the interest of two powerful blocks in Africa, the sub-Saharan and the Arab races, which should be considered alongside economic power.

During the African Union extraordinary two-day meeting in Sirte, Libya, about 40 AU Presidents who attended the Summit unanimously adopted a common position on the Continent's representation on the UN Security Council, resolving to ask for "two permanent seats with all the privileges, including the right of veto, and five non-permanent seats".

Answering a question on whether African countries were on track to better arrangements of their economies, democracy and good governance, Dr Jonah responded in the negative and explained, "if we were on track, foreign direct investment flow would have been on the increase.

"It takes more months of efforts, bureaucratic battling and poor land acquisition requirements to establish a company in an African country than Asia. This is dangerous and inimical to economic growth."

He said African leaders continued to endanger the lives of citizens even in the performance of their duty.

Businesses are also suffering because of party politics, he said, adding, "conducting free and fair elections are good moves but the continent needs to demonstrate more will and commitment towards economic emancipation".