Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ACCRA255
2006-01-31 08:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Accra
how-toVZCZCXRO7020 RR RUEHPA DE RUEHAR #0255 0310814 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 310814Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0345 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0181
C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000255
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016
TAGS: ECON FR GH PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: A FRENCH VIEW OF GHANA
Classified By: Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater for reasons 1.5 d and e
.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 000255
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016
TAGS: ECON FR GH PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: A FRENCH VIEW OF GHANA
Classified By: Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater for reasons 1.5 d and e
.
1. (SBU) On January 26, Ambassador paid a courtesy call on
French Ambassador to Ghana Pierre Jacquemot. Ghana's
strengths, according to Jacquemot are its friendly people and
its good management of the macroeconomy. The strong role of
traditional chiefs plays a generally moderating role in
society, especially the new more educated chiefs. Ghana's
reputation as a "good pupil" is resulting in huge inflows of
remittances and foreign assistance. The ruling New Patriotic
Party (NPP) has many good potential contenders for the party
ticket in the 2008 election (Jacquemot likes Education
Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo and Foreign Minister Nana Akufo
Addo.)
2. (C) Nonetheless, Jacquemot was concerned that as a "good
pupil" the GOG was becoming complacent and needs to "take
more ownership" of Ghana's development. The second Ghana
Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS II) was flawed, lacking
long-range statistical forecasts (the trade and tourism
ministers were upset about the gaps in the GPRS II.) The GOG
does not make a significant contribution to its own budget,
and is uncomfortable about discussing the use of the
remittances coming into the country, according to Jacquemot.
Ghanaian elites are isolated and do not understand the scope
of poverty in their country. Jacquemot conceded that
corruption is a problem (although it is better than many
other countries in Africa) and the Europeans are starting a
DCM-level group to focus on this issue. President Kufuor
raised the same issues during the recent visit to Ghana of
France's Minister of Cooperation as he did in a meeting with
President Chirac several months ago (the top GOG requests
were French assistance in building a railway to Burkina Faso,
in developing cotton in the north, and in strengthening the
Ghana air force.) There is a sense of inertia in the GOG,
according to Jacquemot. (A recurring theme heard in
Ambassador's courtesy calls.)
3. (U) French priorities in Ghana are managing its
assistance program (with a focus on basic human needs and
governance),teaching the French language (reportedly popular
with President Kufuor),and promoting French cultural
activities. Jacquemot said that President Kufuor has now
announced plans for Ghana to join the Francophonie community.
BRIDGEWATER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2016
TAGS: ECON FR GH PGOV PREL
SUBJECT: A FRENCH VIEW OF GHANA
Classified By: Ambassador Pamela E. Bridgewater for reasons 1.5 d and e
.
1. (SBU) On January 26, Ambassador paid a courtesy call on
French Ambassador to Ghana Pierre Jacquemot. Ghana's
strengths, according to Jacquemot are its friendly people and
its good management of the macroeconomy. The strong role of
traditional chiefs plays a generally moderating role in
society, especially the new more educated chiefs. Ghana's
reputation as a "good pupil" is resulting in huge inflows of
remittances and foreign assistance. The ruling New Patriotic
Party (NPP) has many good potential contenders for the party
ticket in the 2008 election (Jacquemot likes Education
Minister Yaw Osafo Maafo and Foreign Minister Nana Akufo
Addo.)
2. (C) Nonetheless, Jacquemot was concerned that as a "good
pupil" the GOG was becoming complacent and needs to "take
more ownership" of Ghana's development. The second Ghana
Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS II) was flawed, lacking
long-range statistical forecasts (the trade and tourism
ministers were upset about the gaps in the GPRS II.) The GOG
does not make a significant contribution to its own budget,
and is uncomfortable about discussing the use of the
remittances coming into the country, according to Jacquemot.
Ghanaian elites are isolated and do not understand the scope
of poverty in their country. Jacquemot conceded that
corruption is a problem (although it is better than many
other countries in Africa) and the Europeans are starting a
DCM-level group to focus on this issue. President Kufuor
raised the same issues during the recent visit to Ghana of
France's Minister of Cooperation as he did in a meeting with
President Chirac several months ago (the top GOG requests
were French assistance in building a railway to Burkina Faso,
in developing cotton in the north, and in strengthening the
Ghana air force.) There is a sense of inertia in the GOG,
according to Jacquemot. (A recurring theme heard in
Ambassador's courtesy calls.)
3. (U) French priorities in Ghana are managing its
assistance program (with a focus on basic human needs and
governance),teaching the French language (reportedly popular
with President Kufuor),and promoting French cultural
activities. Jacquemot said that President Kufuor has now
announced plans for Ghana to join the Francophonie community.
BRIDGEWATER