(MENAFN) U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has embarked on her first official visit to Africa since taking office, kicking off the three-nation tour in Ghana. She was greeted by schoolchildren waving flags of both countries as she announced a new U.S. financial support package for Ghana and several other countries in the region.
During a bilateral meeting with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo Addo, Harris praised Ghana's leadership for making the country a "beacon of democracy" and announced $100 million in new support for Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Togo. The funding is intended to help address security, governance, and development issues in the region.
Harris emphasized the importance of the U.S.'s partnerships with African nations, stating that they are "guided not by what we can do for Africa, but with Africa and our African partners on this continent." She expressed enthusiasm for the future of Africa and its potential impact on the rest of the world, including the U.S.
The vice president's tour of Africa is part of the Biden administration's efforts to strengthen ties with the continent. She is the fifth top administration official to visit Africa this year, following visits by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The trip is expected to focus on democracy, climate change, security, the economy, and the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Harris' visit to Ghana marks the beginning of a nine-day tour of central African nations, during which she will meet with leaders, hold bilateral talks, and make announcements about U.S. support for the region. The tour follows the U.S.-Africa leaders' summit in December, during which President Biden announced a $55 billion commitment to the continent over the next three years.
The vice president's trip to Africa highlights the importance of the continent to U.S. foreign policy, particularly in areas such as security, economic development, and human rights. It also underscores the Biden administration's efforts to re-engage with the international community and strengthen global partnerships in the face of ongoing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions.
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