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02.04.2015 Politics

US Ambassador commends Ghana for enviable democratic credentials

By GNA
US Ambassador commends Ghana for enviable democratic credentials
02.04.2015 LISTEN


Fiapre (B/A), April 1,GNA - Mr. Gene A.Crete, the United States   Ambassador in Ghana,   has commended the country for its enviable democratic credentials in Africa.

He observed that, since 1992, the country has had multiple political and peaceful inter-party electoral transitions for a change of government, saying that is generally a commendable human rights record.

Mr Crete made the commendation during an interaction with staff and students of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) at Fiapre in the Sunyani West District of the Brong-Ahafo Region.

The visit formed part of the Ambassador's recent two-day working visit to the Brong-Ahafo Region, when he visited Kwadwokrom, a cocoa farming community in the Asutifi North District, to interact with the cocoa farmers.

He said the US encouraged and supported an inclusive dialogue in democratic governance, and therefore appreciated Ghana's regional leadership in sharing its proven model of democracy with other countries.

Mr. Crete stated that USA and Ghana had enjoyed strong friendship since Ghana's independence in 1957, and lauded its resultant collaborative work done with Ghanaian institutions and organisations.

He cited the numerous operations of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Peace Corps and the other 15 US government agencies that work at the Embassy in Accra.

Mr. Crete said the Embassy's top priorities include, supporting stable and peaceful democracy, and increasing two-way trade between the two great nations.

The US Ambassador expressed satisfaction that under the Declaration of Joint Action to Support Implementation of the Harkin-Engel Protocol, the Ghana and US Governments, the International Cocoa and Chocolate Industry has collaborated with key stakeholders to reduce the worst forms of child labor in cocoa-producing areas.

Mr. Crete urged the government to work in concert with the private sector, to generate the needed investment for the country to achieve its potential growth to strengthen the US-Ghana economic partnership.

He expressed concern about the current erratic electricity power supply situation in the country that had created dire economic consequences for both employers and employees.

Mr. Crete noted that the power situation had been a key constraint to Ghana's economic growth, and hoped that the second Millennium Challenge Compact, which is aimed at alleviating the power supply constraint, is proceeding.

The five-year 498-million-dollar Millennium Challenge Compact would transform the Ghanaian power sector.

The Compact is expected to be a catalyst for at least four billion dollars in private sector energy investment and activity, in the coming years.

He encouraged the students studying critical areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, to work hard to be able to contribute to Ghana's development.

Mr. Crete explained that the launch of the Washington Fellowships for Young African Leaders programme by President Barrack Obama, aims at empowering young African leaders through academic course work, leadership training, mentoring, networking and follow-on support.

The programme is open to people between 25 and 35 years old, with several years of professional experience, and a proven record of accomplishment in leading and promoting change.   

GNA

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