President Akufo-Addo
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says Ghana will continue to collaborate with the United States at the bilateral and multilateral levels in finding solutions to challenges such as widespread poverty, irregular migration, insecurity and human rights violations.
He said Ghana’s history had been against great power domination of the affairs world, and “that was the reason Ghana led the fight for the liberation of the African continent from colonialism and imperialism and became one of the five initiators of the historic Non-Aligned Movement.”
“It is the same principle that led Ghana to vote in the UN General Assembly in the motion condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it is a position we will continue to hold.
“Great powers of whatever ilk, including friendly ones, trampling on small nations is not something we welcome and within our modest means; we will register our disapproval of it,” he stated.
At the State banquet in honour of the visiting U.S. Vice-President, Kamala Harris, at the Jubilee House, Accra on Monday night, the President stressed the shared positions of Ghana and the U.S. on the global agenda.
This is in the mutual attachment to the Paris Climate Accord, the strengthening of the multilateral system of international cooperation, the respect for the sovereignty of all nations great or small, the maintenance of international law and order, and the need to employ peaceful means to resolve disputes.
“We are however both resolute in the condemnation of our position on terrorism and violent extremism, and Ghana within its means is determined to cooperate with the U.S. to fight the menace…to that end, we welcome the strong cooperation on security matters with the United States.,” he said.
Atlantic Cooperation
President Akufo-Addo also announced Ghana’s acceptance of the invitation of the United States to join the Atlantic Cooperation as a founding member.
The Atlantic Cooperation, an initiative of the United States, seeks to bring together all coastal countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean to explore opportunities to advance shared sustainable development and economic, environmental, scientific, and maritime governance goals across the Atlantic in accordance with international laws.
The initiative aims to foster a prosperous, open, peaceful and cooperative Atlantic region, building on shared capacity, innovative technologies and best practices developed by Atlantic nations to preserve the water body as a healthy, sustainable and resilient resource for future generations.
Members of the community include the United States, Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ireland, Mauritania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, and the United Kingdom
He said the government believes that such cooperation would provide the platform to develop shared approaches to the Atlantic Ocean issues and build on shared capacities and experiences for the benefit of the Atlantic Ocean region.
“As a coastal country bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Ghana recognizes that no country alone can solve the cross-boundary challenges in the Atlantic Ocean ranging from maritime security to environmental degradation,” the President said.
“Ghana, therefore, welcomes and commits to exploring the numerous opportunities offered by the laudable initiative on Atlantic cooperation,” he added.
Ties
Kamala Harris, for her part, said the Biden administration is committed to strengthening the ties that bound the two nations and their people, saying “these ties are a source of strength and pride for both our countries.”
The U.S. Vice-President praised Ghana’s leadership and advocacy on the world stage, which she said is not only vital but inspiring to many across the globe.
“Ghana is a leading voice for democracy and a leading voice in the march for freedom, justice and liberty.
“While we face challenges, I look around and I am truly more optimistic than ever and I know that by working together, the United States and Ghana, alongside the Diaspora and the people of this beautiful continent, will share and share our future for the better,” she said.
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