WASHINGTON — President Bush on Monday lavished the full White House treatment President John Agyekum Kufuor, his ally who holds a kinship with the U.S. president as their two-term tenures near a close.
Kufuor emerged on the South Lawn to find all the pageantry of a military honor guard and flag-waving spectators. At his side, Bush declared five times that Ghana and America "stand as one" on combating poverty, disease and illiteracy, and promoting free elections and trade.
"Your country is a model of entrepreneurship and democracy and peace on the continent of Africa," Bush told Kufuor at the sunny arrival ceremony.
Later, Bush and Kufuor praised their countries' partnership during a statement in the Rose Garden, part of a full day of activity surrounding Kufuor's visit.
Ghana is a kind of story that Bush likes to promote on the often volatile continent. It is a stable, relatively well administered democracy that has largely avoided ethnic clashes, played a busy peacekeeping role and reduced its still-persistent poverty.
The U.S. pumps hundreds of millions of dollars into Ghana to help fight disease, build roads, train teachers and expand markets for its crops.
Bush and Kufuor also share a friendly, personal bond. They came into office about the same time and will leave soon as well, as required by term limits in both their countries.
In a clear theme of the day, Kufuor drew attention to Bush's upcoming retirement and gave him a colorful sendoff during the South Lawn ceremony.
"Your tenure has been full of events and challenges, some very mind-boggling and hair-raising," Kufuor said to laughter. "Through them all, you have been strong, forthright, consistent and faithful. You are a survivor. And my hope is that history would prove kinder to you."
Kufuor's treatment at the White House is reciprocation for the welcome Bush and first lady Laura Bush received in Ghana in February.
Several thousand children in their school uniforms lined the streets of Accra and waved tiny Ghanaian flags as Bush's motorcade bounded through the city that day.
Kufuor also threw a lavish dinner for 500 for Bush during his visit, and announced that a highway there had been renamed the "George Bush Motorway."
Source: FOXNews
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s cocoa export volumes falls sharply by 50% despite rise in earnings in 2024 – Auditor General report
14 minutes -
Today’s Front pages :Tuesday, July 22, 2025
47 minutes -
Mahama thanks Eastern Region, unveils bold infrastructure plan
2 hours -
NPP will not release 2024 Election Report – Oppong Nkrumah
2 hours -
GUTA threatens mass protest over foreign intrusion in retail sector
3 hours -
Defence Minister announces $1bn retooling for Ghana Armed Forces
3 hours -
Togbe Afede reaffirms support for youth innovation at 2025 Asogli Forum
3 hours -
Political chess masters: 11 multiparty Ghanaian families playing all sides
3 hours -
Defence Minister assures fair and transparent GAF recruitment
3 hours -
Ghana Medical Relief to provide free medical care to 10,000 residents of Berekum
3 hours -
Trump threatens to block stadium build over name
3 hours -
Car maker Stellantis says US tariffs have cost it €300m
4 hours -
Taylor Swift and Drake music giant files to list on US stock market
4 hours -
‘We are not just looking for a flagbearer, we want a presidential candidate’ – Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
4 hours -
Court denies bail to nine suspects in Nkwanta riots case
4 hours