Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ACCRA1040
2007-05-10 17:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Accra
Cable title:
GHANA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES THE AU
how-toVZCZCXRO2167 RR RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHAR #1040 1301705 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 101705Z MAY 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4398 INFO RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 001040
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ADDIS PLEASE PASS AU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV GH
SUBJECT: GHANA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES THE AU
REF: ACCRA 963
Classified By: AMBASSADOR PAMELA BRIDGEWATER FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d
).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 001040
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ADDIS PLEASE PASS AU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV GH
SUBJECT: GHANA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES THE AU
REF: ACCRA 963
Classified By: AMBASSADOR PAMELA BRIDGEWATER FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d
).
1. (C) As reported reftel, Ghana is preparing for the June
25-July 3 African Union (AU) Summit, whose focus will be
planning for a "United States of Africa." In a May 3 meeting
with the Ambassador, Deputy Foreign Minster Akwasi Osei-Adjei
previewed the upcoming Summit. Osei-Adjei characterized the
AU as a forum to promote dialogue. Ghana's main goal with
the AU, he said, is to enhance security, which will in turn
strengthen development. He was under no illusions that a
"United States of Africa" will be formed soon, conceding that
this idea is "futuristic" and "a long way away."
2. (C) Over the shorter term, the African Peer Review
Mechanism (APRM) could be a better mechanism to resolve
transnational issues, according to Osei-Adjei. He thought
the APRM could seriously impact the way African nations deal
with one another. He also envisioned a tier- based
development process, saying that developing state
institutions was a critical initial step. Once these
institutions are firmly in place and leaders are accountable,
multilateral fora, such as the AU, can be more effective,
according to the Deputy Minister.
3. (C) The Deputy Minister also said that Western countries
and organizations could help the AU by providing training
and/or logistics for peacekeeping forces. Again stressing
security and stability priorities, Osei-Adjei highlighted the
ongoing strife in Sudan and Somalia as conflicts that are
draining too many lives and resources from the continent.
4. (C) Comment: The "United States of Africa" vision fits
well with Ghana's pan-African history and African leadership
aspirations. While Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo has
spoken frequently about this vision of African unity, we were
encouraged to hear Osei-Adjei's realistic take on the future
of the AU and his focus on practical issues of security and
institution building. An APRM conference in Accra this week
should provide a clearer understanding of how Ghana and the
AU plan to use this process to tackle African challenges.
BRIDGEWATER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
ADDIS PLEASE PASS AU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV GH
SUBJECT: GHANA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES THE AU
REF: ACCRA 963
Classified By: AMBASSADOR PAMELA BRIDGEWATER FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d
).
1. (C) As reported reftel, Ghana is preparing for the June
25-July 3 African Union (AU) Summit, whose focus will be
planning for a "United States of Africa." In a May 3 meeting
with the Ambassador, Deputy Foreign Minster Akwasi Osei-Adjei
previewed the upcoming Summit. Osei-Adjei characterized the
AU as a forum to promote dialogue. Ghana's main goal with
the AU, he said, is to enhance security, which will in turn
strengthen development. He was under no illusions that a
"United States of Africa" will be formed soon, conceding that
this idea is "futuristic" and "a long way away."
2. (C) Over the shorter term, the African Peer Review
Mechanism (APRM) could be a better mechanism to resolve
transnational issues, according to Osei-Adjei. He thought
the APRM could seriously impact the way African nations deal
with one another. He also envisioned a tier- based
development process, saying that developing state
institutions was a critical initial step. Once these
institutions are firmly in place and leaders are accountable,
multilateral fora, such as the AU, can be more effective,
according to the Deputy Minister.
3. (C) The Deputy Minister also said that Western countries
and organizations could help the AU by providing training
and/or logistics for peacekeeping forces. Again stressing
security and stability priorities, Osei-Adjei highlighted the
ongoing strife in Sudan and Somalia as conflicts that are
draining too many lives and resources from the continent.
4. (C) Comment: The "United States of Africa" vision fits
well with Ghana's pan-African history and African leadership
aspirations. While Foreign Minister Nana Akufo-Addo has
spoken frequently about this vision of African unity, we were
encouraged to hear Osei-Adjei's realistic take on the future
of the AU and his focus on practical issues of security and
institution building. An APRM conference in Accra this week
should provide a clearer understanding of how Ghana and the
AU plan to use this process to tackle African challenges.
BRIDGEWATER