[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 37 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Pages 1213-1214]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring President John Agyekum Kufuor of 
Ghana

September 15, 2008

    Mr. President and Mrs. Kufuor and family members; members of the 
Cabinet; Mr. Vice President; Members of Congress; distinguished guests: 
Thank you all for coming. Laura and I are really happy to host you 
tonight. And we're particularly happy to host President Kufuor and Mrs. 
Kufuor. After all, we were in their country last February, and it was a 
unbelievable visit in spite of my lousy dancing. [Laughter] Mrs. Kufuor 
was my partner, and she can testify to my lousy dancing. [Laughter]

[[Page 1214]]

    The memories of the trip will always stay with us, Mr. President. It 
was a great experience. You're the President of a country of such great 
potential, and you're President of a country of such wonderful people.

    We really do want to--I hope you relax tonight for this special 
evening. After dinner we'll go out to the Rose Garden for a--interesting 
entertainment.

    John and I will be joining the ex-Presidents club in a couple of 
months. [Laughter] But I am confident we have left behind an enduring 
relationship between our two countries. We are--we've worked hard to 
help the people of Ghana. Because of his integrity and because of his 
leadership, I was confident in proposing the Millennium Challenge 
Account for the country of Ghana.

    We're working hard to fight disease together. In this room are 
compassionate people who care deeply about the citizens of your country, 
John. And we want to thank you for your compassion and thank you for 
coming. We care deeply about the education of people all across the 
globe. John, you've helped your people build a thriving democracy, where 
the rule of law is respected. And as well, you've taken a leadership 
role on the continent of Africa.

    I thank you for your wise counsel and your judgment on how the 
United States can work to promote peace. I really have greatly enjoyed 
serving with you in an historic era. I have confidence that the next 
Presidents of both our countries will be able to work together.

    In the meantime, I offer you a toast. I wish you all the best in 
your retirement. I have loved being in your presence. And so a toast to 
the President, and his gracious wife, Theresa, and the people of Ghana.

Note: The President spoke at 8:02 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the 
White House. The transcript released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary also included the remarks of President Kufuor.