By Belinda
Ayamgha, GNA
Accra, July 5, GNA – The Embassy of the United
State of America in Accra on Wednesday, held a colourful ceremony with live
band music and fireworks to mark its 242nd Independence anniversary.
It was also used as a farewell platform for
its Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Robert Porter Jackson, who is bringing his
diplomatic career to an end.
The ceremony was attended by high profile
dignitaries including Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of Ghana, Mr
Wilbur Ross, US Secretary of Commerce and several Ministers of State,
Parliamentarians and Traditional Rulers.
Ambassador Jackson, said the celebration also
marked 61 years of the United States’ partnership with Ghana and a shared
heritage which served as a reminder that the two countries could overcome
historic evils and create new beginnings.
He said the close ties between Ghana and the
USA, evidenced by the number of Americans resident in Ghana, attending Ghanaian
Universities and visiting Ghana each year.
He said the high numbers of Ghanaians living
in America, students enrolled in US Universities, tourists visiting the US and
entrepreneurs seeking commercial opportunities in the US, had led to bilateral
trade between the two countries exceeding $1.6 billion in 2017.
He added that the visit of the US Secretary of
Commerce, Mr Wilbur Ross, was evidence of the importance that the US government
placed on strengthening trade relations with Ghana.
“As the gateway to Africa, Ghana plays a key
role for US companies developing their presence on the continent… we are proud
of the commercial successes we have achieved together.
“I am particularly proud of the principles of
transparency and corporate social responsibility observed by American companies
around the world,” he noted.
Recounting some of his most meaningful
successes in Ghana over the past two-and-a half years, Mr Jackson mentioned the
Partnership for Education programme with the Ministry of Education.
He said the partnership over the past two
years, has reached 700,000 primary school students with about five million
books and teacher training aids to help children learn to read in 11 indigenous
languages and English.
The US’s health partnership with Ghana,
including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), had provided
antiretroviral care for Ghanaians living with AIDS.
Maternal and child health care services had
significantly improved, while malaria-related deaths have declined and Ghana
had become the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to eliminate Trachoma, a
contagious bacterial eye infection.
Other areas of partnership between Ghana and
the USA that the Ambassador highlighted were military partnership with the New
Defence Cooperation Agreement.
He said the agreement would see both countries
continuing to work side by side to address threats to global peace and
security, and the Millennium Challenge Power Compact, which will ensure that
Ghanaians have reliable and affordable electricity.
“The United States is working with Ghana to
build a bright future, literally,” he stated, adding “as I close, I want to
sincerely thank the people of Ghana for the warm welcome and friendship you
have offered me.”
Mr John Peter Amewu, Minister of Lands and
Natural Resources, who spoke on behalf of the government, said the US continued
to be a faithful ally in Ghana’s building and maintenance of a robust
multi-party democracy and a strong economy.
He noted that both Ghana and the US were
consistently committed to using the private sector as the driving force to
transform their economies, create jobs and ultimately promote economic growth
for their people.
“It may be noted that economic relations
between our two countries are robust, and have been characterised by the
forging of solid business ventures and exchanges, mostly within the private
sector, the latest of which is the effective collaboration that paved the way
for many American franchises to invest in Ghana,” he stated.
He said Ghana was open for business and a new
type of partnership that focused on value-addition to raw materials.
He therefore invited US investors to explore
mutually-beneficial investment opportunities in Ghana’s agriculture, petroleum,
infrastructure and mineral exploration and production sectors, with a view to
add value to these products locally through Public Private Partnership
arrangements.
Mr Amewu, also congratulated the outgoing
Ambassador for his work in Ghana during his tenure and commended him for his
commitment to deepening Ghana-US Relations over the period.
“As you bid us farewell Ambassador Jackson,
may I, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana express our profound
appreciation to you and your able team for supporting the government before,
during and after the election.
“Your immense contribution and personal
commitment to the deepening of Ghana-US relations will forever remain in our
hearts and minds. Ayekoo,” he said.
GNA