    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [September 15, 2008]
    [Pages 1200-1201]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony for President John Agyekum
    Kufuor of Ghana
    September 15, 2008

        Good morning. President Kufuor and Mrs. Kufuor, it is a pleasure to welcome you back to the White
    House. The American people are honored to receive Ghana's official
    delegation, and Laura and I are happy to host two
    good friends.
        The ties of friendship between the United States and Ghana are
    strong, and they are enduring. Many Americans--citizens trace their
    ancestry to Ghana. For example, the great jazz legend Louis Armstrong
    traced his ancestry back to Ghana. Centuries ago, Armstrong's forebears
    came to America as slaves. In 1956, Armstrong returned to Ghana and
    played a concert for more than 100,000 people who turned out to
    celebrate their country's march toward freedom.
        And when Ghana's independence was secure, President Eisenhower sent
    a message to Ghanaians from the people of the United States. He said,
    ``We revere in common with you the great and eternal principles which
    characterize the free democratic way of life. I am confident that our
    two countries will stand as one in safeguarding this greatest of all
    bonds between us.''
        Half a century later, we see that President Eisenhower's confidence
    was well placed. Today, Ghana and America are still bound by our love
    for liberty, and we stand as one in our efforts to safeguard freedom.
        Ghana and America stand as one as we work to secure freedom from
    poverty. Ghana's leaders are governing justly, fighting corruption, and
    investing in their people. And America is proud to support these efforts
    through our Millennium Challenge compact. Together, we work with Ghana
    to improve agriculture and infrastructure and support development in
    Ghana's rural areas and bring prosperity to Ghana's people. We have
    worked to promote free trade as a powerful engine of prosperity for both
    our countries. Last year, trade between Ghana and the United States was
    valued at more than $600 million, an increase of more than 55 percent
    since President Kufuor and I took office.
        Ghana and America stand as one in our work to free people from
    illiteracy and ignorance. Through the Africa Education Initiative, Ghana
    and the United States have partnered to provide thousands of
    scholarships to girls. We've trained teachers. And across that important
    country, schools are being renovated, textbooks are being distributed,
    and Ghana's children are looking toward a brighter future.
        Ghana and America stand as one in our work to free people from
    disease. Together, we've protected hundreds of thousands of people from
    malaria. Starting this month, Ghana and the United States will begin
    distributing medicines to about 8 million people as part of a new
    initiative to combat neglected tropical diseases.
        Ghana and America stand as one in our work to promote free
    elections. Ghana is now in the middle of a lively election season,
    marked by spirited debate and close-

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    fought contests, which sounds kind of familiar, Mr. President.
    [Laughter] Whatever the outcome, Ghana is showing Africa that democracy
    is not a challenge to be feared, but a sure path to prosperity and
    peace.
        Ghana and America stand as one in our work to promote peace. Ghana
    is a vital partner in our efforts to resolve the crisis in Darfur. Ghana
    has more than 3,000 peacekeepers serving around the world, from Liberia
    and the Congo to Kosovo and Georgia.
        President Kufuor, your country is a model of entrepreneurship and
    democracy and peace on the continent of Africa. We are grateful for the
    warm friendship your nation has shown ours. When Laura and I visited Ghana this February, we were touched by
    the gracious hospitality shown by you and Mrs. Kufuor. Thousands of people lined the street to show their
    gratitude to America. One shop even painted the colors of the American
    flag; I hope their business went up. [Laughter] I was moved by your
    decision to name a new road the ``George Bush Motorway.'' Maybe next
    time I visit Ghana, I can see that motorway without stopping a lot of
    traffic. [Laughter]
        What inspired us most on our visit was the incredible energy and
    optimism of Ghana's people. I will always remember the Little League
    game in Accra, played between children from local churches and a local
    orphanage. As each young batter stepped up to the plate, we heard about
    their plans for the future, to become businessmen or doctors or
    astronauts or even a fashion designer. One after another, we saw
    children confident of their place in a free and prosperous Ghana.
        Mr. President, I congratulate you on the progress Ghana has made
    under your strong leadership. And on behalf of the American people,
    Laura and I are honored to welcome you and Mrs.
    Kufuor to the United States. May God bless
    you, and may God continue to bless our great nations. Mr. President.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:11 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White
    House, where President Kufuor was accorded a formal welcome with full
    military honors. In his remarks, he referred to Theresa Kufuor, wife of
    President Kufuor. The transcript released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary also included the remarks of President Kufuor.