On the invitation of the United States of America (USA), Ghana has accepted to join the Atlantic Cooperation, President Akufo-Addo has announced.
Ghana is joining the Cooperation as a Founding Member, an announcement which was made on Monday, March 27, 2023, at Jubilee House during a state banquet for the visiting US Vice President, Kamala Harris.
After announcing that Ghana had accepted the invitation, President Akufo-Addo stated that it was the belief of the government that such cooperation would provide the platform to develop shared approaches to issues about the Atlantic Ocean.
The government, President Akufo-Addo further said, hoped the cooperation would provide the platform to build on shared capacities and experiences for the benefit of the Atlantic Ocean region.
He said: “As a coastal country bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Ghana recognises that no country alone can solve the cross-boundary challenges in the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from maritime security to environmental degradation.
“Ghana, therefore, welcomes and commits to exploring the numerous opportunities offered by the laudable initiative on Atlantic Cooperation,” he said.
ABOUT THE INITIATIVE
The Atlantic Cooperation is an initiative of the United States that seeks to bring together all coastal countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean.
It is to explore opportunities to advance shared sustainable development and economic, environmental, scientific, and maritime governance goals across the Atlantic, in accordance with international laws.
The initiative aims to foster a peaceful, prosperous, open and cooperative Atlantic Region, and to build shared capacity, innovative technologies and best practices developed by Atlantic nations to preserve the water body as a healthy, sustainable and resilient resource for future generations.
Members of the community include the United States, Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ireland, Mauritania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Senegal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The Atlantic Ocean offers great economic potential, generating some US$21 billion in Latin America. Also, two-thirds of the world’s renewable energy is generated in the Atlantic, and the Gulf Stream dictates the earth’s climate.
INVEST
President Akufo-Addo, in his address, said he was encouraged that more American companies were investing in Ghana, adding that the government would continue to create and maintain a conducive atmosphere that would safeguard their investments.
He indicated that the country was focusing on leveraging its natural resources to transform its economy, while adding value to its raw materials.
In this regard, he was elated that Ghana’s relation with the US was being focused on an increase in trade and investment cooperation.
He reiterated the idea of the Year-of-Return, and the subsequent ‘Beyond-The-Return’, which he noted, formed part of his administration’s plan to boost investment cooperation with those in the diaspora, while creating opportunities for all African descents to trace their roots.
He repeated what a reggae artiste, Peter Tosh, said: “Don’t care where you come from; as long as you’re a black man, you’re an African.”
TOAST
He proposed a toast to the long-standing Ghana-US relations, and trade and investment cooperation; a toast which was reciprocated by the main guest for the night, Madam Kamala Harris.
All the guests, both Ghanaians and Americans, including renowned actor, Idris Elba, raised their glasses to the toast. The night was colourful, with spectacular renditions of the national anthems of both nations from the Ghana Police Central Band climaxing each toast.
LEADING VOICE
Before proposing her toast, Madam Harris praised Ghana’s leadership and advocacy on the world stage, which, she said, was not only vital, but inspiring to many across the globe.
“Ghana is a leading voice for democracy, and a leading voice in the march for freedom, justice and liberty.”
According to her: “While we face challenges, I look around and I am truly more optimistic than ever, and I know that by working together, the United States and Ghana, alongside the Diaspora and the people of this beautiful continent, will share and share our future for the better.”
She particularly commended President Akufo-Addo for the initiative to enable Africans in the diaspora to return home and trace their ancestry.
The US Vice President was on a visit to Africa, commencing from Ghana, ending her visit today with a trip to Tanzania, and ending at Zambia.
