AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 000486 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS EB/TRN BIRD MATTINGLEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2016 TAGS: PREL EINV EAIR GH SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH SOUTH AFRICAN HIGH COMMISSIONER Classified By: Ambassador Pamela Bridgewater for Reasons 1.5 b & d ¶1. (C) Summary. On February 21, Ambassador Bridgewater paid a courtesy call on South African High Commissioner Rapulalne Sydney Molekane. The broad-ranging discussion covered South African investment in Ghana, the current state of Ghanaian politics, Avian Influenza preparedness, civil aviation, and South African - Ghanaian defense cooperation. Both agreed to take action to strengthen common interests, especially in the areas of Avian Influenza and civil aviation. End Summary. SOUTH AFRICAN INVESTMENT IN GHANA -------------- ¶2. (C) In response to the Ambassador's question about the experiences of South African investors in Ghana, the High Commissioner said there were 23 registered South African companies in Ghana. Most of these were concerned with mining, but an increasing number of retail, import, and export companies were investing or considering investing in Ghana. He meets with these companies monthly to discuss the investment climate. The High Commissioner said that many South African companies were interested in Ghana because of its proximity to Nigeria. He said, "South Africans fear Nigeria, but cannot ignore the market," and added that the relative calm of Accra made an attractive base of operations for companies working in both Ghana and Nigeria. ¶3. (C) Molekane said South African firms place trade barriers as their top concern in Ghana. Ghanaian barriers to South African manufactured goods, processed foods, and produce were making business difficult -- but not unprofitable -- for several South African firms. Of greater concern, however, were Nigerian barriers to goods produced in Ghana. He cited the example of SAB Miller/Ghana, which had to import bottles produced in Nigeria --Ghana has no significant bottle manufacturing-- but was not permitted to export to Nigeria, thus excluding them from Nigerian markets. THE CURRENT POLITICAL LANDSCAPE -------------- ¶4. (C) Molekane saw Ghana as politically stable, adding that the current row over the Representation of the People Amendment Bill (to be reported septel) was political grandstanding by the opposition. When the Ambassador asked whether the High Commissioner had any contact with former President Rawlings, he claimed that he had not had any personal contact, but that his mission had contacted Rawlings' staff to facilitate his South African visa in 2005 and during the election in 2004, when Rawlings alleged that the Governments of South Africa and Nigeria were plotting to assassinate him. Molekane added that these contacts were informational in nature, and that the Government of South Africa felt the accusations did not merit any official response. ¶5. (C) Molekane said he had informal discussions with opposition NDC officials while attending the installation of a traditional chief in the NDC's traditional stronghold in the Volta region. The Ambassador and Molekane agreed that there appeared to be some merit to NDC complaints about GoG-funded infrastructure development lagging behind in regions traditionally loyal to the NDC. AVIAN INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS -------------- ¶6. (C) Molekane said the Government of South Africa had been asked by the WHO to coordinate the overall African response to the threat of Avian Influenza, and that he had been tasked by his government to meet with Ghana's Minister of Health to discuss GoG plans. The Ambassador briefly outlined USG cooperation with the GoG on Avian Influenza preparedness, and offered to have relevant USAID/Ghana officers brief the High Commissioner, which he accepted. USAID/Ghana will follow up with Molekane's office to schedule the briefing. CIVIL AVIATION -------------- ¶7. (C) The Ambassador and High Commissioner discussed the current status of the United Airlines/South African Airlines code-share agreement, and its possible expansion to Accra in March 2006. Both agreed to jointly demarche the GoG to expedite approval of these flights after United completed the application process. DEFENSE COOPERATION -------------- ¶8. (C) South Africa and Ghana have a defense cooperation agreement that provides for training and officer exchanges. According to Molekane, however, there had been a lack of activity in the program in recent years, and he expected a high-level delegation to visit in March 2006 to revitalize the program. BRIDGEWATER