Deal with issues of corruption — Senator Coons
The Chairman of the United States (US) Senate Committee on Africa, Senator Chris Coons, has called on African leaders to deal with issues of corruption and child labour since they derail the growth of the continent.
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He also stressed the need for the continent to pay attention to the agriculture sector to boost food production.
He said it was sad that a continent that could boast of huge lands was still the highest net importer of food.
Senator Coons made the remarks when he addressed the media and some government officials at a forum in Accra last Sunday.
Organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), the forum was meant to create a platform for the US Senate to talk about the US government’s agenda for Africa following the arrival of President Donald Trump.
The event was attended by high government officials, foreign dignitaries, the clergy and statesmen.
Chiefly among them were former President John Agyekum Kufuor and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Mr Coons also talked about Ghana’s contribution to the entire world, especially in the area of peace building, indicating that the country had tremendously played a key role in various peace initiatives.
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No fears
Senator Coons reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to maintaining a strong partnership and relationship with Ghana and the rest of Africa.
He said the arrival of the new government in the US did not mean that every initiative or policies the US government had with Africa would be dropped.
He indicated that the US partnership with Ghana and the remaining countries in Africa transcended Presidency, adding that “the country will continue to partner Africa in its development agenda.
“There has not been any dramatic shift in America’s policy with Ghana and the rest of Africa. We are still committed and remain focused on our partnership.”
Outlining some areas the US policies would focus on, Senator Coons said the country planned to build a formidable partnership between American businesses and African innovators in various areas.
He stated that the US would continue to invest in sectors that would bring transformed change in Africa, adding that the country’s attention would be focused on development issues and the well-being of the African people.
Senator Coons said many a time when there was a change of government, people feared that it would affect relationships as well.
“For us the United States, our policies transcend governments and certain things cannot be taken away. One of them is our partnership with Africa,” he stressed.