MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KUFUOR: TIDBITS ON ENERGY,

UNCLAS ACCRA 000155 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIN ENRG GH PREL SOCI SUBJECT: MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KUFUOR: TIDBITS ON ENERGY, MCC, GUINEA WORM ¶1. (SBU) In a January 23 meeting with Ambassador, President Kufuor made a strong plea for help with power generation. Ghana needs 100 megawatts by mid-February to avoid power disruptions during the March Jubilee celebrations, he said. Ambassador mentioned several U.S. commercial options, about which he requested more information (note: we are sending him details today. End note.) ¶2. (U) Kufuor also said he was unhappy that the apparent need for parliamentary approval would delay disbursement of MCC funds. In addition, he questioned data which indicated a rising incidence of Guinea Worm prevalence in northern Ghana, asserting that access to potable water had increased from 19% to 51% of the population in Northern Region under his administration. (Comment: overall access to potable water has increased and the incidence of Guinea Worm has declined over the past few years in the north. However, there are pockets where access to potable water remains very limited, due to a variety of factors. These areas, including districts around Tamale, have a significant Guinea Worm problem. USAID/Ghana has a high degree of confidence in the data, which comes from the GOG's Guinea Worm program. End comment.) BRIDGEWATER