State Visit Of H.E. President Kufuor To The United State Of America
Ghana is a model of entrepreneurship, democracy and peace on the continent of Africa. This declaration was made by President George W. Bush during a colorful ceremony official welcoming President and Mrs. J.A. Kufuor of Ghana to the U.S.A. In his welcoming remarks on the South Lawn of the White House, President Bush observed that the ties of friendship between United State and Ghana are strong and enduring.
He said further that many Americans can trace their ancestry to Ghana; naming the late great jazz legend Louis Armstrong as one of the noble sons of America who originated from Ghana.
He praised the focused and principled democratic governance of the present government. He underscored the fact that the resonating success of the country in the mist of strive in Africa can be looked at as the fulfillment of what President Dwight D. Eisenhower said in a goodwill message he sent to commemorate the independence of Ghana in March 1957.
“President Eisenhower’s confidence was well-placed. Today Ghana and America are still bound by our love for liberty, and we stand as one in our efforts to safeguard that freedom”. President G.W. Bush emphasized the oneness of Ghana and America in the common quest to secure for Ghanaians freedom from poverty. He mentioned illiteracy, ignorance, diseases and corruption as some of the common vices that their two governments continue to fight for the good of Ghanaians.
Ghana, President Bush acknowledged has been a vital partner in world-wide promotion of peace, with more than 3,000 peacekeepers in places like Liberia, Congo, Kosovo and Georgia.
In the area of Trade and Investment, President Bush revealed that last year, trade between Ghana and the United States was valued at more than $600 million which is an increase of more than 55% since President Kufuor and his administration took Office.
As Ghana is in the middle of an election season marked by spirited debates and close-fought contests President Bush expressed his hope that no matter the outcome Ghana will show Africa that democracy is not a challenge to be feared, but a sure path to prosperity and peace.
President John Agyekum Kufuor in his response expressed his appreciation to President Bush and the people of the United States for the kind invitation. He mentioned some of the huge assistance the U.S has given in Ghana’s efforts towards self-developments as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which avails Ghana businesses to export duty-free and quota-free some 6,400 commodities to the Unite States market. The African Growth Competitiveness Initiative, which supports capacity development in international trade and the Millennium Challenge Account, by which the U.S government has granted Ghana $547 million to modernize and commercialize agriculture are some of the vital generosity of the U.S. towards the development and empowerment of Ghana.
President Kufuor praised the literacy drive of the 1ST Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush, and her sponsoring of the Africa Education Initiative which donates books and other educational resources to promote literacy among the youth of Ghana. Another area, President Kufuor disclosed, is the help U.S. offers through the financial sector. He mentioned the African Financial Sector Initiative which avails to Ghana access to the U.S. Export and Import Bank and also OPIC (Overseas Private Investment Corporation) as channels of such support. President Kufuor attributed these as some of the great benefits Ghana and some African countries have had, which is peculiar only to the humanitarian policies of President Bush.
He thanked President Bush for continuous support of the United Nations and the African Union, particularly in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and reconstruction on the continent of Africa.
Concluding, President Kufuor observed that though President Bush’s period of stewardship has been full of challenges with some rather mind-boggling and hair-raising, he managed to sail through them with consistence, strength, forthrightness and faithfulness.
“You are a survivor. And my hope is that history would prove kinder to you”.
ISD (Katherine S. Carboo)
Information & Public Affairs Embassy of Ghana Washington D.C.
