Accra, Feb. 5, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Saturday lauded the United States of America (USA) for considering Ghana a second time for the Millennium Challenge Compact, promising that Government would use the resources judiciously and accountably.

He reiterated that the major reason for being in power was to lift th= e people out of the quagmire of poverty and enable them to lead a decent life= .. President Mills told the delegation led by Mr James Steinberg, US Deputy Secretary of State, which called on him at the Osu Castle in Accra that, Government was open to discussions on improving governance, and Government would do what it took to keep its promises to the people. He expressed the nation's appreciation to the US for the assistance and goodwill it continued to exhibited to Ghana.

"We appreciate this good gesture," President Mills said. President Mills recalled the bonds between the two nations and said it was time to raise the relations between Washington and Accra to higher heights. " We're delighted to have you here," President Mills said. Before the meeting went into close session, Mr Steinberg praised Ghan= a for her sound democratic credentials and pledged that the US was ready to work with Ghana for greater peace and security. He mentioned that the US was also ready to collaborate on security issues, the Ivorian crisis and to create partnership for greater leadership= ..