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