United States President George W. Bush arrives in Ghana on 19 February for a two-day visit as part of an African tour during which he will hold talks with his host John Agyekum Kufuor and make a major policy statement on Africa. He will be accompanied by the First Lady, Laura, and a large delegation of American business executives. Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Minister of Foreign Affairs, told a press briefing in Accra on Wednesday that promoting free trade, economic opportunities and opening of investments would take centre stage in the discussions between the two leaders. These include the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the African Education Initiative and the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which had enabled about many Africans to get antiretroviral treatment for AIDS. Mr Osei-Adjei said the two Presidents would also look at areas of common international interest. The Minister described the visit as “a test of true partnership and shared values of Ghana and the US”, which are enjoying excellent relations under the leadership of President Kufuor and President Bush. US development Assistance to Ghana in 2007 totaled 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 dollars compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation is the most recent achievement in the US-Ghanaian development partnership. Bush, who will be the second US President after Bill Clinton to visit Ghana in 19 years, will also visit Benin, Liberia, Tanzania and Rwanda. Panapress.
