The US Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Jackson says diplomatic relations between US and Ghana remain strong despite opposition by cross sections of Ghanaians to the presence of ex-Guantanamo detainees in the country. Ambassador Jackson mentioned that the agreement for Ghana to host three ex-Guantanamo Bay detainees was a mutual and sovereign decision by both countries after close to 18 months of negotiations and deliberations.
He made these known in response to a question posed by Diplomatic Call Editor, Seth Owusu – Mante as to the current state of diplomatic and bilateral relations between US and Ghana following the huge cry by Ghanaians on the arrival of the ex-Guantanamo detainees in the country at a media roundtable to mark his 90th day in office.
Speaking on a wide range of issues dominated by peace and security, Ambassador Jackson disclosed that from April 26, US and Ghana would launch an eight-day joint readiness exercise dubbed, “Epic Guardian 2016”. This will afford personnel from Ghana Police Counter- Terror Unit (CTU) and Ghana Armed Forces to train with US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) and the Special Operations Command for Africa (SCOAFRICA) for 8 days.
The Epic Guardian program is designed to increase effectiveness of US and African security forces in responding to international threats such as trafficking and terrorism. He indicated that similar exercises have been previously completed in Malawi, Cameroon, Djibouti and Seychelles, adding that a separate portion of this year’s exercise would involve similar coordination between US and Cape Verde.
On Ghana’s upcoming November elections, Ambassador Jackson called on political parties to make pledges to ensure peaceful elections. He further disclosed that US Government will support Ghana’s electoral processes with $ 4.5 million, as part of US’ commitment towards ensuring peaceful and transparent elections in Ghana.
Ambassador Robert P. Jackson was confirmed as US Ambassador to Ghana by the US Senate on October 22, 2015. He was subsequently sworn in by President Obama on November 30, 2015 and presented his credentials to President John Mahama on February 3, 2016 to officially begin his duty tour to Ghana.
Story By: Seth Owusu Mante
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