US committed to creating bright future for Ghana – Ambassador
The United States of America’s partnership with Ghana is rooted in mutual respect, a shared sense of optimism for the future and a commitment to work together to create a bright future, its envoy to the country has said.
The US Ambassador to Ghana, Gene A. Cretz in his speech during the 237th Independence Anniversary of the US in Accra on June 27, 2013, said, “Africa is a fundamental part of our interconnected world. Since 2009, we have partnered with leaders, youth and civil society in Africa to deepen the principles of democracy and human rights.”
He noted that, “I am extremely proud of how we define our partnership. Yes, it is true that we pursue our own interests, as all nations do, but changing lives and saving lives is really the core of what we do in Ghana.”
“My government largely due to President Obama’s partnership for growth initiative has made the overarching notion of partnership central to our development strategy,” he added.
“Other priorities are longer-term, such as our multi-year US investments to increase productivity in agriculture, detect the sale of counterfeit medications, improve childhood nutrition and increase private sector investment in sanitation, power and agriculture,” he indicated.
The head of government delegation on the occasion, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Seth Terkpe also expressed appreciation on behalf of the government and the people of Ghana to the government and people of the US for the various forms of development assistance extended to Ghana over the years.
He said, “Ghana needs energy and major infrastructure for her development. We are not oblivious of the International Finance Corporation (IFC’s) recent $80 million loan to the Takoradi International Company (TICO) to help expand its gas-fired Takoradi 2 (T-2) power plant,” adding, “It is also not lost on us of the construction of the George Walker Bush N1 Highway as part of the $547 million first Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact which has enhanced exports and imports of goods.”
“We are further committed to fighting transnational crime such as illicit drug trafficking and terrorism. In doing so, we will continue to count on development partners such as the US in the years ahead.”
By Dorcas Appiah