From left to right,  U.S.  Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan,  U.S. Special Envoy to Sahel, Dr. J. Peter Pham,  UK Minister for Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, James Duddridge in Ghana capital city Accra Jan. 07, 2021. (source: drjphamtwitter.com) 

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

U.S. Special Envoy for the Sahel Dr. J. Peter Pham said he had a “productive exchange”  in Ghana capital city Accra Thursday with British Minister for Africa James Duddridge regarding concerns in the Sahel and West Africa. Ambassador Pham visited  Ghana  this week to attend the inauguration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.   Mr.  Akufo-Addo was re-elected president of the West African nation in December.  Ambassador Pham led the American Presidential Delegation at the inauguration of President Akufo-Addo on January 7. The delegation included United States Ambassador to Ghana Stephanie S. Sullivan.  Ambassador Pham said via Twitter that the “productive exchange” with the UK minister for Africa  focused on concerns in the Sahel & West Africa and “how our countries can work together to advance security, good governance & development in the region.”  British minister Duddridge also attended the inauguration of the newly-elected Ghana president.  Duddridge is a Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East in the UK. 

An honour to meet @NAkufoAddo after his inauguration. Our countries have a long shared history – one that I know will continue as the president begins his 2nd term. 🇬🇭 🇬🇧

— James Duddridge MP (@JamesDuddridge) January 7, 2021

UK Deploys 300 British Troops To MALI To Bolster UN West Africa Peacekeeping Operations

(credit:  gov.uk)   ( UK troops arriving in Mali on an RAF A400M)    The British Army have deployed a Task Force to Mali in support of Operation NEWCOMBE in order to provide specialist assistance to the United Nations mission currently ongoing there.

 Last month,  the UK Government   dispatched a large-scale British peacekeeping deployment to Eastern Mali, deploying 300 troops to  help booster the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the African Sahel.  The UK  government announced  that once fully established, the Task Force to Mali in support of Operation NEWCOMBE will consist of members of the Light Dragoons, Royal Anglians and support elements from across the British Army.  Their contribution towards the operation is that of a peacekeeping force that aims to engage with the local population and help to stabilise the region.  The UK Task Force will provide a highly specialised reconnaissance capability, conducting patrols to gather intelligence and engage with the local population to help the UN respond to threats from violent extremism, and weak governance.  The UN Mission in Mali is made up of over 14,000 peacekeepers from 56 different countries and works to support peace efforts, encourage security sector reform, protect civilians and promote human rights.

Ambassador Pham interacting with former Ghana president J.A Kufuor during Jan 7, 2021 visit to Ghana capital city Accra. (credit: gh.usembassy.gov).   The U.S. Special Envoy also visited the Kofi Annan International Peace Training Centre (KAIPTC) where he met with the center’s leadership and staff to discuss research and academic programs focused on the drivers of violent extremism in the ECOWAS sub-region.

Ambassador Pham’s visit to Ghana concluded with a dinner featuring Ghanaian civil society leaders hosted by Ambassador Sullivan at her residence.  Participants discussed civil society’s role in building resilience against extremism and networking among regional counterparts to share Ghana’s best practices.

U.S.-GHANA RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Ghana in 1957, following Ghana’s independence from the United Kingdom. The United States and Ghana work together on various defense and law enforcement issues. Both countries’ militaries cooperate in numerous joint training exercises through U.S. Africa Command.  Bilateral trade between the two countries reached $1.6 billion in 2017, with the U.S. maintaining a $110 million trade surplus, and Ghana’s exports more than doubling due to a surge in oil production. Political stability, generally sound economic management, a low crime rate, competitive wages, and an educated, English-speaking workforce, enhances Ghana’s potential as a West African hub for American businesses, according to the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs. 

A number of major U.S. companies currently operate in Ghana, including IBM, ExxonMobil, Coca-Cola, Cargill, and Newmont Mining. Complementing the presence of American companies, Ghana also houses a fairly engaged American Chamber of Commerce that reports over 100 active members.