US EXCHANGE AND TRAINING PROGRAM ALUMNI INCLUDE

UNCLAS ACCRA 000312 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W AND AF/PD AND PEACECORPS, E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PROG PREF EAC GH KPAO OIIP SCUL OEXC SUBJECT: US EXCHANGE AND TRAINING PROGRAM ALUMNI INCLUDE GHANAIAN LEADERSHIP ¶1. (U) Summary. Several new members of Ghana's civilian and military leadership have benefited from USG sponsored training and exchange programs. The most senior Ghanaian to participate is President John Atta Mills, who in the early 1970s was a Fulbright scholar at Stanford University. The newly appointed Chief of Defense Staff, Brigadier Peter Blay, attended the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Ghana's new Foreign Minister, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, was taught by a Peace Corps volunteer, and then went on to work in the 1970s for the Peace Corps as a cross-cultural trainer. The number of past participants in senior positions provides the Mission with a strong contact base, and demonstrates the long term value of public diplomacy and training programs. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Along with Fulbrighter President Mills, who can also still recall the name of his Peace Corps teacher from the 1960s, four new Ministers are known to have participated in public diplomacy programs. The Minister of Trade and Industry, Hanna Tetteh, participated in a 2001 Single Country Program for Ghanaian women, "Empowerment for Women in Politics." Tetteh was the National Democratic Congress spokesperson during the campaign and is a close advisor to Mills. The Minister for Communications, Harruna Iddrisu, went on a 2003 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on "Youth Leadership in the U.S." Also participating on an IVLP was the new Minister for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak,who was on the 2007 "U.S. Political Process for Emerging Muslim Leaders" program. Muntaka told EMBOFFs that participating in the program transformed positively his understanding of the status of Muslims in American society. Ama Benyiwaa Doe, Central Regional Minister, was on a 2001 Citizen Exchanges Vital Voices Program on Women's Empowerment. ¶3. (U) Senior advisers to President Mills have also participated on USG programs. Ludwig Hlodze, an aide in the Office of the President, took part in a 2006 IVLP on "The U.S. Political Process for Emerging Leaders." The Presidential Spokesperson, Mahama Ayarigo, was on a 2002 Citizen Exchanges program, "Street Law." And while not a member of the current administration, the Spokesperson for former President Rawlings, Kofi Iddie Adams, took part in a 2006 IVLP, "Youth Leadership in the U.S." ¶4. (U) Ghana Armed Forces leaders have also benefited from USG sponsored programs through IMET and ACOTA. The new Chief of Defense Staff, Brigadier Peter Blay, studied at the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks; he replaces the acting CDS, Rear Admiral Sampa Nunoo, who attended the Senior Resource Management Course at Monterey. Air Vice Marshall Julius Boateng, also was at the Defense Resource Management Course in Monterey. Rear Admiral Matthew Quashie, the new Chief of Naval Staff, participated in the Senior Officer Amphibious Planner Course in San Diego in 1997. Major Brigadier Joseph Searyoh, newly appointed Director General for Communications and Information Systems, attended a Signal Officers Advanced Course at Ft. Gordon. Air-Vice Marshall M. Samson-Oje, recently named Chief of Air Staff, graduated from the Air War College. A former CDS, and current "Eminent Elder of ECOWAS," Lieutenant General (RTD.) Seth Obeng was at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth. The Military Assistant to the Chief of Defense Staff, Colonel Alfred Wuni, was a Counter-Terrorism Fellow at Ft. McNair. QkQ*@leadership age have been taught by volunteers. From the Ambassador's ongoing courtsey calls, it appears that more than half the cabinet may have had a Peace Corps teacher. During an April 6 call on the Minister of Culture and Chieftaincy Affairs, the minister and four of his five advisors had had Peace Corps teachers. State Department public diplomacy efforts, such as the International Visitor Leadership Program and the Fulbright programs, have also long been active in Ghana. The number of past participants now in leadership roles demonstrates the long-term value of public diplomacy efforts. End Comment. TEITELBAUM