CODEL INHOFE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT MILLS

UNCLAS ACCRA 000338 SIPDIS DEPT FOR H, E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON PGOV OREP OVIP MASS OTRA GH SUBJECT: CODEL INHOFE MEETS WITH PRESIDENT MILLS 1.(U) Summary: President John Evans Attah Mills praised the U.S.-Ghanaian relationship during a meeting with Senator Jim Inhofe and CODEL at a meeting April 9. Mills singled out the Peace Corps and IMET as two programs that have significantly strengthened bilateral relations. The President recognized Ghana's democracy as a model for Africa. Mills also stated that the global economic crisis was presenting challenges to Ghana. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Senator Inhofe's delegation, including Senator Michael Enzi and Congressman John Boozman, and accompanied by Ambassador Teitelbaum and EMBOFFS, met with President Mills, Minister of Defense J.H. Smith and Foreign Minister Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni. President Mills began his statement by noting the long-standing and excellent relationship between the United States and Ghana. Specifically, he pointed to the influence that Peace Corps Volunteers have had in the country. "Quite a number of Ghanaians found their way to American universities through the Peace Corps," Mills said. "Prior to that students went to the U.K." He also noted that Peace Corps Volunteers were a large presence at his own high school, starting in 1961. ¶3. (SBU) Noting the strength of Ghana's democracy , President Mills recognized the country's role as "an example for the rest of Africa." He said his administration was committed to finding out what politicians can do to improve the lot of Ghanaian citizens. "We have to consolidate Democratic gains," he added, "but we need to use our resources to benefit our people, such as schools, health care and jobs." 4 (SBU) Senator Inhofe asked Mills about the benefits of military assistance efforts, such as IMET and the training and equipment programs, (1206 and 1207). Minister of Defense Smith said that he was personally a beneficiary of the IMET program. Smith added that there were obstacles with the program, noting, "we still have it, but not to the levels as before." Senator Inhofe offered to discuss the matter in private with the Minister and have all staffs (congressional, Embassy, and GoG) work on a way ahead. ¶6. (SBU) Mills said that the global economic downturn has been one unexpected challenged that his Administration was facing. Inhofe noted that the Americans, too, were facing a similar challenge. ¶7. (U) This cable has been cleared by Senator Inhofe. TEITELBAUM