New US Ambassador to Ghana arrives

Mr Robert Porter Jackson, newly appointed United States Ambassador to Ghana is arriving in the country today to take up his appointment.

Mr Jackson swore the oath of office administered by Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in Washington D.C on November 30, 2015, a statement from the American Embassy in Ghana and copied to the Ghana News Agency said in Accra.

he statement signed by Sara V. Stealy, the Information Officer of the Embassy, said the US Senate confirmed Ambassador Jackson’s nomination on October 22, 2015 and that Ambassador Jackson would assume his duties upon the presentation of his letters of credentials to President John Dramani Mahama.

According to the statement, Mr Jackson said, '' my wife (Babs) and I are excited about moving to Ghana, one of the leading democracies on the African continent, with active political parties and civil society organisations, a lively media, a history of peaceful political transition, an apolitical military and a good human rights records.

"As Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, I intend to build on what I have learned over the last 33 years, about building partnerships, adding that my priorities will be to promote strong institutions, good governance, peace, trade, education, and health, unlocking Ghana’s potential for sustained inclusive broad-based economic growth and helping it graduate from traditional development assistance".

Mr Jackson indicated; "Three years from now I trust we will say that the relationship is stronger than ever and that together the United States of America and the Republic of Ghana have each benefitted from our friendship, commence, engagement and exchange."

Mr Jackson has served as the US Department of State’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs since October 2013.

He was the US Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon from 2010 to 2013.

His previous overseas assignments include; Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d’Affaires, Rabat, Morocco, Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d’Affaires, Dakar, Senegal, Political/Economic Counselor, Abidjan, Cote d’Iviore among other appointments.