Vice President Kamala Harris visited Ghana on Monday, pledging support for the country amidst an economic crisis and security concerns, and announcing $100 million in assistance for the region.
Her visit was seen as a high-profile show of support for Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is facing rising discontent over inflation after previously overseeing one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
Harris is the most notable member of President Joe Biden’s administration to visit Africa this year, and she’ll be continuing on to Tanzania and Zambia later this week.
The United States is seeking to broaden its outreach to Africa at a time when China and Russia have entrenched interests of their own in the continent. Concerns over terrorism and Russian mercenaries in West Africa have sparked alarm about the potential for a new Cold War dynamic, where global competition leaves Africa caught in the middle.
However, Harris was careful to emphasize that the U.S. outreach was independent of geopolitical rivalries.
I met with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana to discuss wide-ranging topics, including our shared commitment to democracy, global security, and long-term economic growth.@POTUS and I are grateful to have a strong partner in Ghana. pic.twitter.com/dnhKjFEXmd
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 27, 2023