[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.