Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris has stated that Ghanaians voted and elected a President in a free and fair general election 2020.
This, she said, demonstrated the Ghana’s commitment to democratic principles and institutions.
“We are confident in the Government of Ghana and the environment, Mr President, you have created, which allows for some confidence in the respect and upholding of the rule of law and human rights. And so, with all of that, we look forward to continue to work together”, she told President Akufo-Addo.
The US Vice President made these statements when she held bilateral talks with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the White House last Thursday.
The meeting was aimed at strengthening the ties of cooperation and friendship that exist between the two countries.
“Last December, the people of Ghana voted in a free and fair election that demonstrated your nation’s commitment to democratic principles and institutions,” Vice President Harris added.
She also commended President Akufo-Addo for creating the enabling environment for American businesses to thrive in the oil-producing West African country.
Vice President Harris pointed out that American companies continue to ramp up in Ghana, understanding the significance of the work that they do there to America’s economy much less to the partnership between Ghana and the United States.
She indicated that the meeting with the Ghanaian President is a reaffirmation of the strength of the relationship between the United States and Ghana, and stressed that the deep historical ties and official bilateral relationship began in 1957.
President Akufo-Addo thanked Vice President Harris for the invitation, and stressed that Ghana and the United States of America share very much the same commitments.
He expressed gratitude for the support of the United States towards helping to defeat the pandemic in Ghana, and indicated, “Other main preoccupation for us is the co-operation that we have to put together to defeat the Jihadist insurgency in the Sahel.”
According to him, it is an area that requires the support of the United States Government.
“We are looking for support for our armed forces and for the intelligent agencies of our area that they can be in stronger positions.”
“Many of those leading the Jihadist insurrections in West Africa are the people who came from Iraq after they were driven out, so I think if there’s information here that can assist us to be able to track them down and be able to deal with these people,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo was hopeful that Ghana and America, now and in the coming years, will continue to advance mutual causes, and also strengthen the relations between the two countries.
