US-Ghana relations still cordial

THE US Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Donald G. Teitelbaum has stated that despite the change of governments in the US and Ghana, the bilateral relations between the two countries would not change.He said although there could be change of policy direction it would at the end of the day serve the overall interest of the two countries.

Ambassador Teitelbaum, who was interacting with news men in Takoradi said Ghana is one of the countries in the world that America has strong links with, and being democratic states, the two countries would certainly want to continue on that line.

He did not rule out the possibility of policy changes, saying "Every democratic state faces this same question, but you want continuity to stamp on policies of development".

He told the press that although president Obama had not announced his foreign policies and so could not tell what exactly would happen in Ghana, as far as that policy direction was concerned, he was of the firm conviction that President Obama would want to make a mark and that would mean deepening the country's relations with Ghana.

He assured Ghanaians that despite the global economic crisis, America would work closely with Ghana for the mutual benefit of the two countries. "In terms of difficulties, friendship is very important and America will certainly play her role to help Ghana in this difficult time," he stressed.

The Ambassador, however, failed to mention the kind of support that Ghanaians should expect from his country, but maintained that what was due Ghana will certainly be made available.

He was also confident that the economic crisis that has engulfed the whole world would soon be over. "We will all get past this financial crisis," he assured.

The Ambassador, whose mission in the Western region was to conduct a facility visit to the Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) in some of the communities in the Ahanta West district, including Fasin, joined in the campaign to wage a relentless war against Malaria, one of the killer diseases in Ghana.

He was accompanied by some health officials from the Ghana Health Services including the Director General -Dr.Elias K Sory. The delegation led by the Ambassador urged the community members to use mosquito treated bed nets to prevent the spread of Malaria.

The visit by the delegation also coincided with the vaccination programme of the GHS in these communities. The attention of the community members was drawn to the need to immunize their children against polio. They were also counseled on the need to use insecticides.

The communities visited by the Ambassador and his delegation during his visit to the Ahanta west district included Agona, Dixcove and Busua.

The visit was to also familiarise himself with some health facilities in the region, especially those in the Ahanta west district, that over the years have enjoyed great support from the US.