On Thursday, September 23, 2021, US Vice-President Kamala Devin Harris met with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was in Washington for the UN General Assembly's 76th Session, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, at the Vice-Ceremonial President's Office.The discussion focused on democracy, US-Ghana relations, and COVID-19, among other topics. The White House provided the following excerpts from the meeting. Harris, Vice President: So, Mr. President, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the White House. And I'm looking forward to our conversation today, which will serve as a reaffirmation of the strength of the US-Ghana relationship. And, of course, we have long-standing ties. Our official bilateral relationship began in 1957, but there are longer — and longer-standing — ties that connect our peoples. Many Americans have traveled to Ghana over the years to remember the history of slavery, honor their roots, and better understand their ancestors. And the African Diaspora in the United States is significant, including in my home state of California, and our country is stronger as a result.
These two countries share a commitment to democracy. Ghanaians voted in a free and fair election last December, demonstrating your country's commitment to democratic principles and institutions. We agree that everyone should have a say in their future, that our democracies are stronger when everyone participates and weaker when anyone is excluded.
We also share a dedication to global health. None of us have been immune to the pandemic's ravages. We recognize our shared responsibility to collaborate and share resources in order to not only address the effects of COVID-19, but also to prepare for future pandemics.
