By: Rebecca Ekpe
Another Historic and vivid demonstration that Ghana is the Gateway to Africa as the US Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Accra today amidst high expectation of a step up in the country’s economic and bi-lateral relations with America.
H.E Kamala Harris is on a 9-Day Official Visit to Africa. She will be in Ghana, from Sunday March 26 to Wednesday March 29, 2023.
Ghana’s Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Madam Ayorkor Botchwey, and the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia E. Palmer joined by other dignitaries and Members of the Diplomatic Corps received the US Vice President Kamala Harris at the Kotoka International Airport.
US Vice President Harris will later travel to Dares Salaam in Tanzania before concluding her trip in Lusaka, Zambia.
Colorful Welcome:
The 49th Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris arrived at the Kotoka International Airport amidst a colourful traditional welcome of Ghana colours and performance in Drumming and Dancing by the Ghana Dance Ensemble.
Children and Youth who are beneficiaries from a US Partnership Project were also at the Airport to welcome the visiting Vice President and her delegation.
They waved miniature Ghana and US Flags as Vice President Kamala Harris who arrived in the company of the Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff touched her chest to acknowledge the cheers and greetings.
Security:
Security is at a top notch. Ahead of the arrival of Vice President Harris, an aircraft parades the airspace of the Airport prior to touch down of the United States of America jet that carried the Vice Presidential entourage.
US Agents who were operating the security posts prior to entering the space to receive the visiting Vice President from America scanned journalists.
What is interesting is the collaboration between the Ghana and US Security Teams. With the Ghana Airport Security Personnel also providing backup.
Of Cause the Ghana Police Service has a roll out of Security induced Traffic Management in Accra and Cape Coast. The traffic arrangements in Accra and Cape Coast are from Sunday, March 26 to Wednesday March 29, 2023.
The Police have implored motorists to cooperate with them.
“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’’, the Police release noted’’.
The Issues:
Among the issues the visiting Vice President would be delving into are; increasing investment, economic growth, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Digital Inclusion and Peace and Security.
Clearly, given the economic challenges across the Continent, Vice President Kamala’s visit is timely, according to Experts.
Ghana for example is seeking intervention from the IMF to address the country’s fiscal challenges.
The expectations are that Ghana would make the best out of this visit to continue to position it as the Gateway to Africa in Trade, Economic Growth, Peace and Security as well as on its Democratic trajectory.
Ghana is still the Gateway to Africa as H. E Kamara Harris began her African trip from Ghana. She is optimistic about the future of Africa and Africans ought to seize the moment for the collective good of the Continent.
‘’What an honour to be in Ghana…I am excited about the future of Africa’’, Vice President Kamala Harris stated.
US Presidents who have visited Ghana
- Vice President Nixon visited Ghana in March 1957
- William J. Clinton visited Accra on March 23, 1998
- George W. Bush visited Accra February 19–21, 2008
- Barack Obama visited Accra and Cape Coast, July 10–11, 2009
