AMBASSADOR MEETS VICE PRESIDENT OF GHANA ALHAJI

UNCLAS ACCRA 002327 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON GH PGOV PHUM PREL SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS VICE PRESIDENT OF GHANA ALHAJI ALIU MAHAMA ¶1. Summary: On November 10, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Ghanaian Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama. The Vice President praised our strong bilateral relationship, especially the MCA compact. He said the Northern Region of Ghana is calm and he was proud of the GOG's early submission of the budget. End summary. Bilateral Relations -------------- ¶2. The Vice President praised our excellent bilateral relations, expressing appreciation for USG development assistance, debt relief, and military-military engagement. The GOG "treasures" the proposed MCA compact and hopes to finalize it soon. He hoped the Ambassador would help attract investment to Ghana as well as aiding Ghana to tap U.S. expertise in agriculture. Aliu Mahama appreciated our support on counter-narcotics but hoped for more assistance with the police and security agencies. ¶3. The Ambassador noted USG assistance in counternarcotics and police training. She explained her meeting earlier in the day with the President to focus on what the GOG needs to do to progress toward an MCA compact. She mentioned that Ghana had qualified for MCA funds in 2006. We want to work to ensure Ghana adopts solid projects to the benefit of all Ghanaians. Muslims, the North, the Budget -------------- ¶4. The Ambassador thanked the Vice President for his support to Mission Muslim outreach efforts. The Vice President explained that Tamale and the Northern Region (his home territory) is generally calm, although problems can spring up unexpectedly. Muslim-Christian relations are generally very good, although Ghanaians should not be complacent. The Ambassador congratulated Aliu Mahama on the government's submission of the budget on November 10. The Vice President was pleased that this was the first time the GOG had presented a budget before the end of the calendar year. He hoped the extra time for discussion would help empower people in the budget process. LANIER