US President Bush Arrives In Ghana On Tuesday

United States (US) President George W. Bush arrives in Ghana on Tuesday, February 19, as part of his one-week five-nation African tour. Accompanied by the First Lady, Laura, and a large delegation of American business executives, he would spend two nights in the country and depart on February 21. This is the second time in 10 years that Ghana would be privileged to play host to an American President. Former President Bill Clinton visited in 1998. Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, told a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday that President Bush would be making a major policy statement in Accra after bilateral meeting with President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle, Osu. Promoting free trade, economic opportunities and opening of investments would take centre stage in the discussions between the two leaders. He specifically mentioned the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), the African Education Initiative and the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which had enabled about 0ne billion Africans to get antiretroviral treatment for AIDS. Mr Osei-Adjei said the two Presidents additionally would look at areas of common international interest. The Minister said the visit was a test of true partnership and shared values of Ghana and the US, which are enjoying excellent relationship under the leadership of President Kufuor and President Bush. US development assistance to Ghana in 2007 totalled more than 55.1 million dollars with programmes in small farmer competitiveness, health including maternal and child health, education, democracy and governance. Ghana's 547-million-dollar compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation is the most recent achievement in the US-Ghanaian development partnership. Benin, Liberia, Tanzania and Rwanda are the other countries President Bush would be visiting. Meanwhile, all is set for President Kufuor to deliver his eighth and last State of the Nation address to Parliament on Thursday, February 14. His Press Secretary, Mr Andrew Awuni, said the President would have a lot to share with the nation after seven years of leadership inspired by the philosophy of development in freedom with emphasis on the rule of law and good governance. He said the address among other things would highlight the healthy state of the country's economy, outline continued efforts at strengthening the purchasing power of the people and interventions to improve the competitiveness of the productive sectors of the economy including energy, roads and rail network. President Kufuor would also renew his call for smooth electioneering campaign by all the political parties as the nation gets ready for the December election. The address would bring to light how the President's vision for a humane and prosperous nation has been executed in the past seven years, Mr Awuni said.