“What an honor to be here in Ghana and on the African continent. I am very excited about the future of Africa. I am very excited to see how Africa’s future will impact the rest of the world. When I look at what’s happening on this continent and the fact that the average age is 19, what does that tell us about the growth of innovation and opportunity. I see all of this as a great opportunity, not only for Africans but also for the rest of the world,” said the US Vice President as she stepped off the plane.
Kamala Harris on arrival in Accra: “I am very excited about the future of Africa”
For Washington, one of the goals of Kamala Harris’ trip is to change America’s perception of Africa at a time when Washington is looking to build a great partnership with the continent.
Evidenced by the sequence of visits by American officials to Africa in recent weeks. After the Secretary of State the finance ministerthe first lady, it is now the turn of the vice president.
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Therefore, Kamala Harris will take care of the Ghanaian youth in Accra. On Monday, she will visit a skate park and a recording studio for local artists before having dinner with President Nana Akufo-Addo when safety in the area is discussed.
The goal of this tour is also to talk about the climate crisis, food security and increased investment in Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, three countries whose democratic qualities Washington welcomes.
Countering the influence of Russia on security and China on the economy
But these American words also hide the struggle for influence with Russia and China.
At the security level, first with the presence of Wagner’s militiamen on the continent. In recent months, the Ghanaian president has repeatedly been moved by the terrorist instability that “threatens the whole of West Africa”. During the US-Africa summit in December, he also asked Washington for support for Wagner’s presence in the region after claiming that the Russian mercenaries were in southern Burkina Faso, on the northern border with Ghana. The charges were then dismissed by Ouagadougou and classified as “very serious”.
On the economic front, Washington hopes to counter China’s influence. Beijing is the main creditor of many countries, including Ghana, which is now heavily indebted and mired in a deep economic crisis, with inflation exceeding 50%. Accra has also been negotiating with Beijing since the beginning of the month to restructure its debt.
According to Christopher Fomunyoh, Africa regional director at the National Democratic Institute in Washington, “the debt problem needs to be addressed”
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