Equally worth noting, is Ghana being the first country south of the Sahara to play host to such an illustrious personality whose campaign message of “Change, Yes We Can” -- [Some Hon Members: Yere sesam!] -- has echoed beyond the borders of the United States of America and shaken the slumber and despair out of many people around the world.
Permit to say, on a higher note, but significant to Ghanaians, Africans and all people of African descent, that this memorable visit of the 44th President of the United States of America and his family, is a spiritual reunion with the ancestral home. Many of us take pride in his Presidency as the first Black American President of the United States of America.
Indeed, we have seen in our life time, the true realization of the principle of human equality, espoused by the Declaration of American Independence and invoked by President Abraham Lincoln in his address on November 19, 1863 at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. We note with great appreciation that the United States of America is undoubtedly a beacon of freedom, liberty and democracy
for the world.
Today, we celebrate with the United States of America, a renewed bond of friendship, committed at deepening governance and democratic values of our respective countries, strengthening our economic co-operation and the achievement of global peace and prosperity.
May I also add, Mr. President, how important it is for the United States to reach out to Parliaments everywhere. I very much hope that the United States Congress will take an active part in worldwide parliamentary co-operation, especially through our global organiza- tion, the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Mr. President.
OPENINg REMARkS BY THE PRESIDENT Of THE REPUBLIC
Of gHANA
H.E. President of the Republic of ghana (Prof. J. E. A. Mills): Your Excellency, President Barack Obama of the United States of America,
Your Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana,
Your Excellency, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, fomer President of the Republic of Ghana,
Your Excellency, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor, former President of the Republic of Ghana,
The Rt. Hon Mrs. Joyce Bamford Addo, the Speaker of Parliament,
Her Ladyship, Mrs. Georgina Wood, the Chief Justice of Ghana,
The Chairman and members of the Council of State,
Hon Ministers of State,
Hon Leaders and Members of Parliament,
Your Excellencies, members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Our Traditional Leaders,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Fellow Ghanaians,
It gives me great pleasure to once again extend to you, President Obama, very warm welcome on behalf of the Government, the Chiefs and people of Ghana.
Mr. President, you and I stand here today because just over six months ago, our respective compatriots voted for change - [Hear! Hear!] - A change that they hope and expect will create a better
Mr. President, Ghanaians also expect me to pay greater attention to socio- economic policies and also provide increased access to education and health, and develop social safety nets for the disadvantaged.
Mr. President, Ghana and Africa look to the world community to fully appreciate that partnership agreements and special packages for Africa, must pass the test of ensuring that Africans are able to achieve their set goals and objectives.
Mr. President, we are living in difficult times. The world has experienced the global financial crisis of enormous severity. Its effect and impact on Ghana and Africa is becoming clearer and more significant. These are in terms of lower growths, increased unemployment, threats to aid flows, reduced remittances and uncertain commodity prices as well as the
[PRESIDENT MILLS] impact on cost and availability of credit.
Mr. President, our world is becoming more and more vulnerable to trans- national crime, especially drug trafficking and money laundering, which have eroded the concept of sovereignty.
Mr. President, while globalisation has facilitated the easy movement of international criminals from one jurisdiction to another, the impunity with which organised crime is committed in our part of the world poses yet another daunting challenge.
Mr. President, it is with this expectation that I once again, extend to you, your wife Michelle, your children and all the members of your delegation, a very warm welcome on behalf of the Government, the Chiefs and the people of Ghana.
