US see Ghana as strong partner in the fight against diseases

From Benjamin Mensah, GNA Special Correspondent, Kampala, Uganda

Kampala, July 26, GNA - Under Secretary of State for African Affairs John Carson Monday said the US saw Ghana as strong partner in leading the fight against maternal, infant and child health issues in Africa.

He told Ghana President John Evans Atta Mills that the US wanted to work with Ghana in efforts of the US government to do more to cut down on diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.

Mr Carson, who is representing President Barack Obama at the 15th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State of the African Union underway in Kampala, said this when he called on President Mills on the sidelines of the Summit.

The summit is focusing on how African leaders could do more to improve the maternal, infant and child health in their countries.

The summit is on the theme "Maternal, Infant and Child Health and Development in Africa."

President Mills has contributed to a debate and called for more commitment by African leaders to deal with challenges of accessibility to maternal, infant and child care.

Malaria, a common aliment in Africa, causes illness and productivity loss for close to 200 million people, and the scourge claims the lives of more that 800,000 Africans each year, most of them mothers and babies.

Under Secretary Carson said President Obama was committed to helping Africa to deal with maternal and infant diseases and sees Ghana as a strong partner in the lead to address such diseases.

"You have our support in the dealing with these. We want to work with Ghana," Mr Carson said.

President Mills gave compliments to the Summit for bringing African Leaders together, adding that the issues under discussion affected the development of African nation and they must be addressed to raise the standard of living of the people.

He commended the US Attorney General Eric Holder on a speech delivered in which the US pledged to team up with Africa to fight terrorism.

President Mills called for greater and more collaboration and interaction among World Leaders in finding solutions to common challenges and problems.

President Mills would brief the Summit on the centenary celebration of late President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

President Mills is also pushing for Ghana's representation on the African Human Rights Commission.

President Mills has granted audience to some officials attending the summit and they include economist Mr Jeffery Sachs, Mr James Victor Gbeho, President of the E COWAS Commission and Madam Obiageli Ezekwesili, Deputy World Bank President for Africa.