President Barack Obama’s up coming visit to the country is widely seen as an acknowledgement and appreciation of the high standards in Ghana’s democratic governance, respect for human rights as well as the peaceful democratic transitions over 16 years and more. Historically, Mr. Obama comes as the third US President to visit Ghana following in the footsteps of Bill Clinton in March 1998 and President George W. Bush in February last year.
As usual, it will strengthen the bond of friendship that come into life between Ghana and the US on the attainment of our independence in 1957. It would be recalled that on that historic occasion, the US sent a delegation led by its Vice-President to grace Ghana’s Independence Day.
Since then the mutual relationship has been maintained through bilateral trade, investment and other multi-lateral programmes. For example, the constructions of the Akosombo dam and the Power Plant as well as the establishment of VALCO and operations of American Peace Corps in the country are testimonies to the close ties between Ghana and US. In this regard, President Obama’s trip to Ghana is most welcome.
Let us hope the visit offers bright prospects for Ghana. In the short-term, American business entrepreneurs will discover profitable areas of investments, particularly in the oil sector, and set up enterprises to that effect. The manufacturing sector still remains open for investments in food preservation and processing to save the considerable amount of waste in food production in the country.
The visit should also serve to increasing trading activities between Ghana and US. In the long-term, Ghana will benefit more from US aid and grant facilities like the Millennium Challenge Account which is being used to fund development projects in the country. In other words, the US will continue to be a reliable partner of progress to Ghana.
The prospect for the continent is equally good. It is another unique opportunity to present the persistent problems of poverty, hunger, disease, drought and civil wars which have culminated in a state of under-development of the African continent. Big Donor countries like the US must do more to save the continent from this precarious situation.
As significant and beneficial as President Obama’s visit would be to Ghana and Africa, it is expected that efforts will be made to make it rousing, enjoyable and memorable like previous ones. Indeed, it should be more exceptional and worthwhile in the end. All effort must be made towards extending the traditional warm Ghanaian hospitality to President Barack Obama and his entourage.
By: Jos Anyimah Ackah (an Advertising Practitioner)
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