President Akufo-Addo welcoming Kurt M. Campbell, US Deputy Secretary of State to the Jubilee House for a meeting
President Akufo-Addo has reiterated not just his personal commitment but that of his government to the tenets of democracy.
He has therefore promised to work hand-in-hand with the United States (US) government and its agencies to promote its tenets.
This was when the US Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House in Accra.
Campbell is in the country on a working visit aimed at deepening cooperation between the USA and Ghana and to work constructively in areas that were mutually beneficial.
President Akufo-Addo lauded the US government for its continuous assistance to the government and people of Ghana over the years.
Traditionally, he said America has given support to Ghana in the conduct of its general elections and this has been done via the Electoral Commission (EC) and other institutions towards being able to manage a credible electoral process.
“We’re looking forward to working with you again to ensure that result,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo also expressed the need for greater collaboration between the two countries in the area of security, stressing, “the most important matters confronting us here is the jihadist insurgency in the Sahel. That’s the biggest security challenge confronting virtually all the States of West Africa.”
He said even though it was a phenomenon which many thought would be confined to the Sahel, it has proven to be more than that as the insurgents continue to probe further south.
President Akufo-Addo also took the opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to maintaining Ghana’s status as a thriving democracy in Africa.
He said all the necessary measures are being put in place ensure that this year’s general election is not only transparent, free and fair but truly reflects the sovereign will of the people.
“Ghana is a very thriving democracy. Many of its institutions have been influenced by America’s history and democratic journey and we’re determined to keep it so. At the end of this year, we’re going to have elections like you. You have your elections in November, ours is in December, every four years. We’re making efforts to make sure that the election at the end of the year maintains the reputation of Ghana as a beacon of democracy on the African continent,” he emphasised.
The US Deputy Secretary of State, Kurt Campbell, said his visit was one that has been very fruitful as it offered him the opportunity to meet with key business people and financial folks.
“We’ve had a chance to engage with your national security team. We’ve had an opportunity to meet young, tech-savvy Ghanaians and West Africans,” he said.
He said the U.S was seeking to work constructively in every area that is important to Ghana going forward.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent