Treasury Chief, Bono Wrap Up Tour of Africa

U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul H. O’Neill and U2 frontman Bono wound up a 10-day tour Thursday aimed at focusing world attention--and aid--on Africa’s fiscal and health woes.

After traveling through Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Ethiopia, the business-minded Treasury chief and the casually clad rock star said they believe that a better life is possible on the continent.

O’Neill insisted that there must be results for aid spending and that more information is needed to decide how to spend aid dollars. He resisted Bono’s position that aid should increased immediately.

“I want to figure it out from the bottom up, I want to figure out what is it we need to do. I want to cost it out, and then I’m ready to advocate it,” O’Neill said.

Bono said, “We’re going to lose millions of lives unless there’s a significant jump in aid from the United States and Europe, and I think the only reason that people won’t be prepared to make that jump with us is that they need to believe that the money will get to the people.”