US Ambassador holds farewell roundtable discussion with media

US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Porter Jackson has met with some selected media personnel in what was to be his last media engagement before he departs the country.

The discussions centred on issues relating to Ghana-US relations during his time in Ghana and other topical matters of interest to the two nations.

The discussions also allowed media personnel the opportunity to ask questions bothering on key issues including security, health, education, government policies and areas of assistance and collaboration between the two countries.

Energy, health, agriculture, education and peace and security have been his priority areas during his stay here the Ambassador made it known to the journalists gathered.

On Energy he was excited about the take over of ECG by Meralco saying it move will make ECG more profitable and bring down the price of tariffs.

"As all of you now the power supply has become much more reliable over the last three years but there is still the question of affordability and ECG is still losing approximately $8 million a week. That's clearly not sustainable but I think with different management and new infrastructure that will go with it and a huge infusion of cash both from the Millenium Challenge Cooperation, part of the US government, and Private sector investor, we can see the number of people with reliable power going up and cost coming down" he disclosed.

The outgoing US Ambassador emphasised that the intervention of the US government in agriculture especially in the Northern and Upper Regions and in Fishing has improved the livelihood of many and reduced poverty in those areas.

He admitted, "We still have a lot of work to do in the agricultural sector. We continue to invest in the quantity and quality of Cocoa, Palm oil, grains. These are important investments as you know, Ghana is still importing far more food than it should, given its capacity. So we are going to continue to encourage Ghana to be self-reliant in food production".



On the controversial Ghana-US defence cooperation, Ambassador US Robert Jackson revealed the agreement was in force and stressed the absence of an established military base contrary to speculations that caused an uproar.

"As you have seen we have not built a base here. We do have about 800 trips from the United States and other African countries here for an exercise and that exercise includes a training by Ghanaians of Americans at the Jungle Warfare Center and we are very pleased Ghana remains the only country in Africa that is currently training US Forces which really speaks to Ghana's partnership with us in the Peace and Security area" he declared.

Over the last year, Ambassador Robert Jackson stated, the number of people denied Visas at the Embassy has seen a sturdy decline.

"In 2017 we issued 16,500 visas to Ghanaians for tourism, business and study in the United States. We do not have the numbers for 2018 but I can tell you that applications have increased dramatically so the number is going to be more than 16, 500 for this year and the number of people denied Visas has declined" he submitted.



He mentioned during his stay here, Fufu, Guinea Fowl (Akonfem) and Kelewele has been some of his favourite Ghanaian dishes he loved and assured he will be back to Ghana because his family has made so many friends in the country and was appreciative of the reception offered him.

Robert Jackson's nomination was confirmed on October 22, 2015, but was sworn in as Ghana's Ambassador to the US on November 30, 2015, by first African American President of US, Barack Obama.

He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Cameroon from 2010 to 2013 and Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d'Affaires in Morocco and Senegal.

Robert Porter Jackson retires this year after more than 35 years of Service when he departs Ghana.