Kamala Harris, US Vice President, arrives in Ghana
The Vice-President of the United States of America (USA), Kamala Harris, has reiterated her country’s quest to strengthen relations with Ghana and other African countries.
Ms Harris, who is in Ghana for an official visit, said she is looking forward to strengthening the economic relations between the US and Ghana, and holding discussions that will foster opportunities in various sectors of the continent in the face of global competition over its future.
“We are looking forward to this trip as a further statement of the long and enduring and very important relationship and friendship between the people of the United States and those who live on the continent of Africa,” the US Vice-President stated.
Speaking at the Kotoka International Airport yesterday, upon her arrival, Ms Harris, expressed readiness to help address some of the issues that relate to partnership between Africa, its people and the people of the United States and to reinforce the collective work on addressing climate crisis, supply chain, international rules and nuance.
Visit
While in Africa, Ms Harris intends to advance efforts to increase investment on the continent, and facilitate economic growth and opportunity, specifically in the areas of economic empowerment of women and girls, empowerment of youth entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.
According to her, she will also “support the work that must be done to increase food security, including adaptation to the effect of economic crisis.”
While in Ghana, Ms Harris will visit the Cape Coast Castle, where slaves were kept in the Central Region, during the slave trade era.
The US Vice-President is scheduled to leave Ghana on March 29, 2023 to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania before ending her tour in Africa in Lusaka, Zambia on April 2, 2023.
She is being accompanied by her husband, Douglas Emhoff, and other officials of the U.S government.
She expressed her happiness in coming to Ghana and Africa. “Today begins a week-long journey, first here in Ghana, then unto Tanzania and then Zambia. I’m very excited about the future of Africa. On behalf of the President and our entire nation, we bring you greetings and we’re looking forward to this trip.
“I look forward to my meetings with President Akufo-Addo, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, Second Lady Samira Bawumia, former President John Mahama. We will build on the previous meetings I have had with each of them to strengthen democracy and good governance, promote peace and security, build long term economic growth, and strengthen our business ties,” she said.
The US Vice-President would also meet with entrepreneurs, artistes, students and farmers to witness first-hand the extraordinary innovation and creativity occurring on the African continent and inspiring the world.
Security arrangement
As part of the security arrangements in connection with the visit, the Ghana Police Service has put in place traffic management arrangements in Accra and Cape Coast.
A statement signed and released yesterday by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Director of Public Affairs, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, announced that the arrangements run from yesterday till Thursday, March 29, 2023.
The police have asked motorists to cooperate with them and advised them to use alternative routes wherever possible, to ensure effective traffic management as the country demonstrates its convivial hospitality in line with tradition and culture towards guests.
“We would also like to indicate that Police officers would be detailed along the roads mentioned and at other vantage points to assist the public during the entire period. We apologise to the public for any inconvenience caused by these arrangements”, the Police statement added.
Roadblocks
The Police statement noted that “there will be intermittent roadblocks along the Liberation Road from the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) traffic intersection, through Opeibia, up to the National Theatre, between the hours of 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Sunday.”
It added that there will once again be intermittent roadblocks from the National Theatre, through the AU Roundabout to the Jubilee House, and from the Jubilee House to the Emmanuel Eye Clinic area at Shiashie between the hours of 9:00 am to 9:00 pm.
“There will also be intermittent roadblocks from the Ako Adjei Interchange through to the Labone Secondary School area and along the John Evans Atta Mills High Street and onto the Bukom Boxing Arena.
“On Tuesday, 28th March 2023, between the hours of 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, there will be intermittent roadblocks from the National Theatre, through the Ministries Traffic Intersection up to Castle Traffic Light at the Black Star Square,” the statement directed.
In Cape Coast, between midday to 6:00 pm, there will be intermittent roadblocks from the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium, through Bakano Road and Aminstimadzi Road to Omanhene’s Palace and from the Omanhene’s Place through Beach Road, up to the Cape Coast Castle.
On Wednesday, March 29, 2023, between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, there will be intermittent roadblocks from the National Theatre through the Jubilee House along the Liberation Road, up to the Pawpaw Street area in East Legon.
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