General News of Thursday, 26 January 2012

Source: GNA

Mills promises stronger ties with United States of America

Accra, Jan 26, GNA- President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday expressed Ghana’s preparedness to partner the United States of America to execute programmes and projects that would benefit both countries in their developmental surge.

He said already the USA was supporting Ghana tremendously in the areas of security, the Millennium Challenge Account projects, the Millennium Development Goals and other important development areas and Ghana would create an enabling ground for more partnerships.

President Mills said this when Mr Williams J. Burns, Deputy Secretary of State led a delegation to call on him at the Castle, Osu.

The delegation, which was accompanied by Donald Teitlebaum, U S Ambassador to Ghana, is in the country to explore areas of investment and partnership with both the public and private sectors of Ghana.

President Mills said President Obama’s visit to Ghana upon assumption of office was a testimony to the fact that Ghana was an investment friendly country and called on others to make use of the fertile investment grounds of the country.

He said Ghana’s friendship with the USA had over the years hinged on truth and all the values of democracy, good governance and rule of law and was happy that the USA was expressing interest in fostering cooperation in peace and security.

Mr Burns, who expressed satisfaction at the level of cooperation between the two countries, said the visit of President Obama to Ghana was not an accident, but was because of Ghana’s democratic credentials.

He gave the assurance that the USA would continue to support Ghana to achieve her development programmes by constantly interacting in all aspects and sectors of development.

The Deputy secretary said Ghana had been instrumental in international peace-keeping programmes, and that the USA would strengthen their relations in that respect.

He expressed the US government’s desire to partner Ghana in peace and security, food security and health issues in the coming years.