A former Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Interior Minister under the Kufuor administraton, Alhaji Malik Alhassan Yakubu, who was also one-time MP for the Yendi constituency, last Wednesday feted the outgoing US Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie Sullivan and her husband John Sullivan at the former’s residence in Accra.
It was an afternoon of exchanges of positive remarks about each other by the host and guest.
Alhaji Malik spoke highly about the good works of the outgoing ambassador who is returning to the US.
Recalling his fondness of the US, he told his audience during his speech about how at Government Secondary School in Tamale in the early 60s his room was called the US Embassy. “I had displayed in our thatched roofed room the picture of President JFK Kennedy, my favourite US President. My room thus became known as US Embassy,” he said.
The outgoing ambassador is a strong woman who is able to manage all situations, he said, as he recalled a traumatising situation the woman was able to handle even while driving.
He paid tributes to the outgoing envoy for her success in enhancing the relationship between the two countries.
“I have known Stephanie since the 90s when she was in the country on a different role in the US Embassy and since then our relationship has waxed stronger. She has worked with me to enhance democracy in the country over the years. Mama Ghana is what some call her in view of her love for Ghana and the work she has done for the country.
“When I got a note that Virginia Palmer is going to be the new US Ambassador to Ghana, it struck me that we are going to part with Stephanie. I hope that her movement would not be the end of the link between us,” he added.
Given her experience and hard work, Alhaji Malik said she could hold the highest office in the US someday.
In her remarks, the outgoing ambassador expressed gratitude to her host and in a show of humility she added that “it is not about me but my team.”
She was full of respect for her political officer who was part of the guests at the afternoon engagement.
Present during the programme were some justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Council of State member, Alhaji Aminu Amadu who was a school mate of the host, Sheikh Arimiyao Shaibu, Rear Admiral Muniru Tahiru (rtd), Dr. Mohammed Sanni Abdulai, Hajia Abiba Shanni Mahama Zakaria, CEO of MASLOC and many others.
By A.R. Gomda