Dr Williams is concerned at poverty, disease and conflict in the African countries

The countries are part of the Anglican Church Province of West Africa, a region that expressed strong opposition to the planned appointment of a gay bishop in England.

The row, which at one stage looked as if it would lead to a major schism in the Church, only ended when Canon Jeffrey John said he would not take up the post of Bishop of Reading.

During the dispute, the Dean of West Africa, Dr Tilewa Johnson, who is also Bishop of Gambia, said he wanted to discuss the issue with Dr Williams when he visited the area.

He said at the time that people were opposed to the appointment and would protest with placards during his visit.

The most serious threat came from the Archbishop of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, who said his church would break ties with the Diocese of Oxford if the appointment went ahead

Dr Williams' visit will involve meeting representatives from church, state and traditional African society.

He is arriving in Accra, the capital of Ghana for the start of the tour.

'Wounds'

The visit comes at the invitation of the Primate of the Anglican Church in the province of West Africa, the Most Rev Robert Okine.

On Thursday Dr Williams will meet the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency, John Agyekum Kufuor, as well as attend a church service.

The Archbishop will address a rally in Sierra Leone at the National Stadium in Freetown on Sunday.

Lambeth Palace said the "primary purpose" of the Archbishop's visit was to support Anglican communities in all three countries.

He has said in a letter to Church of England bishops that West Africa is suffering "most of the greatest wounds of our age".

Violent conflict, epidemic disease, instability and poverty were afflicting millions in the region, he said.