US ambassador to Ghana assigned to Pakistan

THE US Ambassador to Ghana, Ms Nancy Jo Powell, yesterday paid a farewell visit to President J. A. Kufuor at the Castle, Osu, in Accra. Ambassador Powell, who was posted to Ghana less than a year ago, has been reassigned to Pakistan.

She is expected to leave for Washington, USA, on Sunday.

President Kufuor said although Ms Powell's duty tour was short, she made a significant impact on Ghana. He said the ambassador helped in promoting what he described as "positive partnership" between Ghana and the US, adding that "her performance has been good”.

President Kufuor reiterated that Ghana is firmly behind the US in her efforts to resist terrorism. He later presented a stool and traditional beads with the Adinkra symbol, Gye Nyame, literally translated to mean “except God” to Ambassador Powell.

Ms Powell, on her part, said the US Government is supporting Ghana's constitutional democracy and the efforts of the government to maintain peace and stability as well as anti-terrorism activities in the West African sub-region.

She noted that within the last few months, several high ranking US investors and officials, including the Treasury Secretary, Paul O'Neill, have visited Ghana and that other officials will follow.

Present at the meeting were the Vice-President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama; the Foreign Minister, Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang; and Ms Elizabeth Ohene, Minister of State at the Office of the President.