By James Amoh Junior
Accra, June 12, GNA – The United States and Ghana have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in trade, security, education, health and people-to-people exchanges as the U.S. Embassy in Accra marked the 250th anniversary of American independence.
The celebration, attended by Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the business community, the Ghanaian and American communities, and the media, reflected the longstanding relations between the two countries and prospects for stronger collaboration in emerging sectors.
The United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776, and this year marks 250 years since that historic declaration.
The U.S.-Ghana relations dates back to Ghana’s independence in 1957 and has grown into one of the strongest bilateral partnerships in Africa.
Cooperation between the two countries spans trade, education, health, security, governance, infrastructure development and cultural exchanges.
Ghana was also the first country in the world to receive Peace Corps volunteers in 1961, a programme that continues to strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations.
The anniversary celebration forms part of activities commemorating “Freedom 250,” a year-long programme marking America’s semiquincentennial and reflecting on the values of liberty, democracy and international partnership.
Mr Rolf Olson, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Ghana, said the anniversary was not only a celebration of America’s independence, but also a reflection on the enduring partnership between the United States and Ghana.
Addressing guests at the ceremony in Accra, Mr Olson described Ghana and the United States as “natural partners” united by shared values of democracy, freedom, entrepreneurship, education and justice.
He traced the historical foundations of the relationship to Ghana’s independence in 1957, when then U.S. Vice-President Richard Nixon attended the country’s independence celebrations and met civil rights icon Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
According to him, that engagement helped shape America’s policy focus on Africa and contributed to the establishment of the Bureau of African Affairs within the U.S. Department of State in 1958.
Mr Olson noted that Ghana became the first country to host Peace Corps volunteers in 1961 and that more than 5,000 volunteers had since served in communities across the country in education, agriculture and health.
He said the partnership had evolved beyond diplomacy into tangible economic cooperation that touched the lives of millions of Ghanaians.
“More than 100 American companies are active in Ghana across all sectors, from energy to technology and agriculture. These businesses employ thousands of Ghanaians, provide skills training and contribute significantly to economic growth,” he said.
Mr Olson cited Newmont, one of Ghana’s largest taxpayers, as an example of American investment supporting jobs and national development while contributing to schools, roads, hospitals and other public services.
He said bilateral trade between Ghana and the United States reached approximately US$4 billion last year and expressed confidence that the figure could increase significantly as both countries explored opportunities in digital technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture and energy.
The Chargé d’Affaires underscored the importance of security cooperation between the two countries, including efforts to combat cybercrime, terrorism, narcotics trafficking and transnational organised crime.
He cited recent cooperation in extradition and law enforcement matters as evidence of the strong collaboration between the two governments.
Mr Olson highlighted U.S. support to Ghana’s health sector, noting that over the past two decades, the United States had invested about US$2.5 billion in health programmes in the country.
The support, he said, had helped keep thousands of people living with HIV on treatment, protected millions of children from malaria and supported nationwide COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
Dr Dominic Ayine, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, speaking on behalf of the Government of Ghana, congratulated the United States on reaching the milestone and described its 250-year journey as one characterised by resilience, courage and determination.
He said Ghana and the United States had enjoyed strong and cordial relations since Ghana attained independence in 1957, with cooperation spanning health, education, defence, security, law enforcement and human rights.
Dr Ayine recalled visits by former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama to Ghana, describing them as important moments that strengthened relations between the two countries and deepened ties between their peoples.
He commended the contributions of Peace Corps volunteers to Ghana’s development and acknowledged the role of educational exchange programmes in building human capital.
The Attorney-General disclosed that more than 12,000 visas had been issued to Ghanaian students pursuing studies in the United States and praised the U.S. Embassy for facilitating educational opportunities for young Ghanaians.
Dr Ayine, himself a beneficiary of the Fulbright Scholarship Programme, expressed appreciation to the U.S. Government for supporting academic advancement and people-to-people exchanges.
On economic cooperation, he said Ghana remained committed to creating a conducive environment for trade and investment and looked forward to stronger collaboration with American investors.
He noted that Ghana’s political stability, democratic credentials, independent judiciary and strategic location within the African Continental Free Trade Area positioned the country as an attractive destination for investment.
The Attorney-General also highlighted cooperation between the two countries in addressing terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime, stressing the importance of continued collaboration in safeguarding regional and global security.
He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to strengthening ties with the United States and invoked an African proverb to underscore the importance of partnership.
“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” he said, expressing optimism that the two countries would continue working together for mutual prosperity and development.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba
Reporter: James Amoh Junior
Email: [email protected]