News
There’s more than democracy in Obama’s visit to Ghana
A vendor stands in front of a kiosk selling US President Barack Obama memorabilia in Ghana’s capital Accra. The US hopes President Obama’s decision to visit Ghana at the weekend will spur other African governments to try and emulate the West African country’s democratic record. Photo/REUTERS
Posted Wednesday, July 8 2009 at 22:45
The International Monetary Fund has estimated that government revenues from oil and gas could total $20 billion over the next 20 years from one offshore field that contains a projected 1.8 billions of crude oil.
Ghana also ranks as Africa’s number-two gold producer, behind South Africa.
In addition to the attention being paid to Ghana by Africom, the Obama administration is bolstering US military relations with the country by seeking funding increases for military training and weapons-purchase programmes.
President Obama has asked the US Congress to provide $850,000 in military training funds for Ghana in the coming year, compared to $650,000 allocated this year. Financing for Ghana’s weapons purchases from the US is similarly slated to increase – from $300,000 to $450,000.
The US has also been providing substantial sums of non-military aid to Ghana in recent years.
Ghana was approved in 2006 for what was then the largest development grant awarded through Washington’s Millennium Challenge programme.
The $547, five-year allocation comes in addition to nearly $60 million in health spending that the Obama administration has proposed for Ghana in the coming year.
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Submitted by yesuwanguPosted July 10, 2009 09:40 AM
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Submitted by ensoko
I dont understand why everyone is miffed at Barack Obama visiting Ghana and not Kenya.Obama leads a govenment and American interests come first.A visit to Kenya will be more of a spiritual pilgrimage for him than bringing in goodies as people think.All reasons given for visiting Ghana because it is more democratic are a coinage of political and journalistic busy bodies.He has visited countries with human rights abuses and will visit more.He will pass by when he deems necessary.
Posted July 10, 2009 07:01 AM -
Submitted by wambugundiangui
I really think the fundamental question should be; Is 'democracy' as a form of governing in the forms that Washington likes to push it through our throats , the best option as governing model to deliver the substantial changes that are needed based on our society historical and current circumtances ?
Posted July 10, 2009 02:08 AM -
Submitted by werssylwer
Oh, now Obama only visits democracies, right? Like Egypt, yeah? Sound democracies like Saudi Arabia? Open democracies like Russia for example? If we discover Oil tomorrow, Barrack will send Air Force One to Kogelo to pick up the best grandmother in the world!!! You are spot on Maziwa Lala.
Posted July 09, 2009 11:53 PM -
Submitted by magandamiamor
who cares! kenyan govt should put their house in order, thank God Obama wont go there that country irritates me,wonder what old guyz still doing in govt yet common wananchi are dying and what they do is to enjoy themselves in luxury,
Posted July 09, 2009 11:36 PM
RSS
Ghana is the light and heart of Africa.We should name Ghana the Capital state of AFrica.Ghanas image is making and moulding the african civilization abroad.many people would like to travel to kenya but they end up travelling to ghana simply due to insecurity in Kenya.Ghana is also fast growing in christianity many international preachers are going their as Ghanas own people and international preachers are growing.Bravo well done ghana.Kenya is only proud of being better than somali.olwao