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