Vice President Kamala Harris began her weeklong trip to Africa by pledging support for Ghana, a democratic country in the region that is facing economic and security challenges.
During a press conference with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, Harris announced $100 million in assistance for the region and promised that the United States would strengthen its partnerships across the continent. The visit is part of the Biden administration’s effort to broaden U.S. outreach in Africa at a time when China and Russia are increasing their involvement on the continent.
Ghana, along with other African countries, is being impacted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, causing concerns about the potential for a new Cold War dynamic in the region. Harris emphasized that the U.S. outreach was independent of geopolitical rivalries, and that the trip was motivated by the importance of the direct relationship between the United States and Ghana.
Harris also acknowledged security concerns in the region, including terrorism and the presence of Russian mercenaries, and said that the U.S. had sent troops to train militaries from Ghana and other countries to bolster their defenses against local offshoots of al-Qaida and the Islamic State.