Ghana, US to deepen economic cooperation

From Kwaku Osei Bonsu, GNA Special Correspondent, New York New York, Sept. 27, GNA - Ghana and the United States (US) on Wednesday renewed their commitment towards deepening trade and investment relations for their mutual benefit.
Ghana enjoys strong economic partnership with the US, whose Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) to Africa stands at over six (6) billion dollars.
The country is the biggest recipient of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), a development grant to reward countries that rule justly, fight poverty and promote private sector growth.
Ms Jendayi Frazer, the US Under-Secretary for Africa, told the press after bilateral talks between President John Agyekum Kufuor, and Secretary of State, Dr Condoleezza Rice, that they would continue to support Ghana with grants.
"The partnership is benefiting both of our countries and Africa."
Dr Rice is Chairman of the MCA, and assured President Kufuor of their determination to speed up the release of funds for implementation of Ghana's MCA compact to modernize and transform the country's agriculture.
She also acknowledged the tremendous economic strides Ghana was making, something, that was being reflected by its high rating by international institutions.
The US Secretary of State congratulated President Kufuor for his strong leadership, domestically, and role in solving problems in Africa.
President Kufuor had earlier granted audience to the President of the World Bank, Mr Robert B. Zeollick, who lauded Ghana as a great success.
He said the Bank, through the International Finance Corporation (IFC) would develop special equity and infrastructure funds to support the country's private sector for sustained growth of the economy. His meeting with President Kufuor was to help the Bank to get a sense of the country's priorities to enable them to work better with it. President Kufuor said the Government was determined to stay the course of prudent economic management and financial discipline. "We would maintain the standard. We want to hasten our self discovery."
President Kufuor was in New York for the 62nd Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.