Obama Congratulates Senegalese President Elect

March 26,2012-Washington DC. President of the United States,Barack Obama has sent a congratulatory message to Macky Sall on his victory in Senegal's presidential elections.

In the message ,Mr.Obama said"Senegal has through this election,reaffirmed its tradition as a leading example of good governance and democracy at work in Africa and remains an example for its neighbors.The government and the people of Senegal have once again demonstrated their commitment to political expression  through peaceful,democratic elections,making harder for non-democratic forces near and far to prevail".

He was of the view that the result of the elections has deepen the hopes  across the continent and around the world ,that the quest  for human dignity cannot be denied and Africa's democratic wave must continue.Mr Obama also recognized the outgoing president,Abdoulaye Wade for his leadership and friendship to the United States during his presidency and looked forward to building similarly productive ties with president elect Sall, while deepening the longstanding bonds between the United States and the Senegalese people.

The elections according to domestic and international observers was transparent and freely reflected the the will of the people of Senegal.

Source: Ekow Mensah-Shalders(Institute for Democracy and Press Freedom,USA)

US Condemns Military Seizure of Power in Mali,stands by AU and ECOWAS

March 22,2012-Washington DC.......The United States has strongly condemned the violence initiated by elements of the Armed Forces of Mali and has called for the immediate restoration of constitutional rule in the West African nation.

A statement issued by White House Press Secretary,Jay Carney says "The United States  stands by the people of Mali and the legitimately elected government of president Amadou Toumani Toure and also welcome the strong statements by the African Union and the Economic Community of west African states,condemning this unconstitutional seizure of power."

The coup which began Wednesday following a mutiny by troops at a military camp near the capital Bamako,has spread to other garrison.Meanwhile the where about of the president is unknown.

The regional body,Ecowas  has called the coup "reprehensible"sources say the coup is a major setback for Mali which is a landlocked  country and one the continent's poorest but well respected for it's democratic credentials.

President Toure himself came to power through a 1991 coup ,but was hailed for handing over to civilians and a decade later,he won the 2002 elections and was re-elected in 2007.

Source:EKOW MENSAH-SHALDERS AND JOEL SHALDERS

First Lady Michelle Obama to Lead Presidential Delegation to Opening Ceremonies of 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London

Washington  DC- March -13  2012-    First Lady Michelle Obama will lead the Presidential Delegation to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. Mrs. Obama made the announcement at an event with Mrs. Samantha Cameron celebrating the Olympic Games and Mrs. Obama’s let’s Move! Initiative. At the event, Olympians and Paralympians including Kortney Clemons, Dominique Dawes, Tom Dolan, April Holmes, Lisa Leslie, Lori Ann Lindsey, Dan O’Brien, Becky Sauerbrunn, David Wagner and Mal Washington led DC-area school children in activities inspired by the Olympic Games. Mrs. Obama emphasized her hope that the Olympic Games will inspire more young people to get active and healthy, the goal of her let’s Move!  Initiative.

“In the months ahead, I’ll be talking to Americans all across the country to encourage even more young people to tap into that Olympic spirit and turn their inspiration into action,” said Mrs. Obama. “As the Olympic creed states, ‘the most important thing … is not to win, but to take part.’ And that doesn’t just mean sitting and watching, it means getting up and getting active as well.  I hope we use the upcoming games as motivation for all of us to get up and get moving. This is especially true for our young people. You don’t have to be a gold medal winner or the best athlete at your school to take part.  You don’t even have to play an organized sport.  You can dance in the living room, ride your bike around the neighborhood, or go for a walk with your friends.  Everyone can find some way to be healthy, get active, and have some fun.”

“Olympians are ambassadors of their country so it is only fitting that our nation’s leaders show support for the Games. Mrs. Obama’s support will only further invigorate the athletes’ desire to bring home the gold and motivate all Americans to be active,” said Dominique Dawes, three-time Olympic gymnast.

It is traditional for a delegation to travel to the Olympic Games to represent the United States. In the coming months, the White House will announce the official delegates accompanying Mrs. Obama to London. Other First Ladies that have led a Presidential Delegation to the Olympic Games include First Lady Laura Bush to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy and then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton to the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.

Source: EKOW MENSAH-SHALDERS AND JOEL SHALDERS

GHANA's PRESIDENT VISIT WHITE HOUSE

March 8 2012-Washington DC. Ghana's President John Evans Atta Mills was in the Oval Office for a bilateral meeting with the United States President,Barack Obama.

The two leaders used the opportunity to discuss objectives in advancing development as well as the economic ties between the two countries.They also discussed cooperation on a host of bilateral,regional and multilateral issues and deepening of bilateral partnership.
Ghana's delegation to the Oval Office  included:

The Foreign Minister Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni

The Secretary to the President James Bebaako-Mensah

The Minister of Finance Kwabena Dufuor

The Trade Minister Hanna Tetteh

The Minister of Energy Dr.Oteng-Adjei

The Deputy Minister of Transport Dzifa Ativor

The Presidential Advisor to the President Dr. Cadman Mills

His Excellency the Ambassador Daniel Ohene Agyekum

President Mills told President Obama that he was honored to be in the White House.He said Ghana and the United States share the same values of democracy and democracy is the only way.

He said "We share the same  values of democracy and democracy is the only way.It goes with development .There cannot be any development without peace.We also have an election this year and we want to make sure there's peace before,during and after"

Mr Mills is expected to meet with US Attorney General,Eric Holder, Secretary of Energy,Dr Steven Chu,Secretary of Transport Ray La Hood and the Administrator of USAID Dr Rajive Shah.


He will also visit the Martin Luther King  memorial and have lunch with senators Chris Coons and Johnny Isakson before returning to Accra-Ghana.


Source :Ekow Mensah-Shalders

Fact sheet on the U.S.-Ghana Development and Economic Relationship

Ghana’s democratic and economic development successes exemplify the integral relationship between democracy, good governance, and development.  Ghana also exemplifies many of the positive economic trends in Sub-Saharan Africa.  Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, including Ghana, offering enormous potential for enhanced trade and investment by U.S. companies. 

A Growing Trading Partner

·         Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product grew by at least 13.5 percent in 2011 and will sustain a growth rate of at least 8 percent in 2012, according to the International Monetary Fund.

·         Two-way total trade between the United States and Ghana was valued at $1.9 billion in 2011, a 56 percent increase over 2010.  U.S. exports to Ghana were valued at $1.2 billion, up from $963 million in 2010, and over the past five years exports of U.S. goods and services have increased over 186%.

·         U.S. companies are among Ghana’s largest and highest profile partners, and U.S. companies are increasingly helping to build Ghana’s infrastructure, while adhering to strong environmental and social standards, and ensuring better development outcomes.

·         Over the last twelve months, including new contracts signed this week, the U.S. has provided crucial assistance that has made $1.47 billion in U.S. exports possible.  A few recent examples include:  Miami-based Belstar is implementing a $250 million project providing medical equipment, services and infrastructure to benefit up to 100 hospitals throughout Ghana.  The project will make a significant impact on Ghana’s ability to meet its growing need for modern health care infrastructure.  The project is expected to generate $147 million in U.S. exports through initial procurements, with an expected total procurement amount of $253 million.

·         In the past year and a half, companies such as General Electric and IBM have set up offices in Ghana, and others are expected to soon follow.  U.S. companies are involved in a wide range of sectors from oil to cocoa processing, and Ghana now has three direct flights from the U.S., on American carriers.

Partners for Growth

·         The United States continues to support Ghana's economic development and reform efforts through bilateral and regional assistance programs.

·         Ghana recently completed its five-year, $547 million compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation to improve agricultural production, transportation and rural development.

·         U.S. development initiatives seek to partner with Ghana to hasten the day when foreign assistance is no longer needed.  This includes shared work to build on accomplishments to date and address the remaining constraints to economic growth through the Partnership for Growth.

Source:White House.

Filed by:Ekow Mensah-Shalders

Institute for Democracy and Press Freedom,Inc.