That agenda, he said, should be one where American and Ghanaian enterprises forged partnerships that would promote the economic relations of both countries.
The President made the call when he addressed a delegation of United States Congressional Black Caucus, led by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, called on him at the Jubilee House in Accra.
The Caucus’ three-day historic visit to Ghana, a result of months of deliberations between the Government and the US Congress, coincides with the ‘Year of Return’ celebrations that marks the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans landing in America.
The visit is also part of Government’s push to get the wider Diaspora community to take part in the ‘Year of Return’ celebration.
President Akufo-Addo told the delegation that both countries, who shared longstanding history dating back four centuries, could benefit from a more systematic approach to sharing ideas, knowledge, and best practices in order to address the challenges that confront them.
President Akufo-Addo told Pelosi, who is the first US Speaker from the house of representatives to visit Ghana, that “we are very comforted by this visit”, because “it is very significant that you are in Ghana as we’ve proclaimed this year as the year of return….where our relations with America which has today blossomed into something positive and concrete”
The President said it was reassuring the solidarity shown by the leadership of the Black Caucus of Congress with the visit to Ghana, saying, “the work that they do within the American political system is something that we all follow with great keenness.”
Ghana, President Akufo-Addo told the delegation, prided itself very much of being a functioning democracy, with the Ghanaian people determined and fully committed to a future of democratic engagement on the principles of democratic accountability, respect for human rights and rule of law.
He pointed out that there were many aspects of the American political systems “that we are imitating here and are inspired by”.
He was optimistic that the relations between both countries would transcend that of aid giving to one of mutual interest based on fair trade to transform Ghana’s economy and reduce poverty.
Mrs Pelosi commended Ghana for its democratic credentials and lauded the country’s role in being an exporter of peacekeepers around the world.
“We complement you on the strength of Ghana being exporters of security and peacekeepers on the continent and elsewhere.
According to her, Ghana’s role in global security is very commendable…. Militarily, politically, culturally and “we salute Ghana,”
On his part, Jim Clyburn, the Majority Chief Whip of the US House of Representatives and a member of the Black Caucus, said that future interaction between America and Ghana ought be based on trade rather than aid.
He said The future of our two nations must have mutual respect and we must ensure that that respect is recognized the world over.
Meanwhile Mrs Pelosi is expected to address the Parliament of Ghana on Wednesday, ,July 31, 2019, as part of her visit to the country.
