American Vice President, Kamala Harris on Monday, has announced that the Biden-Harris Administration intends to invest more than $100 million to support conflict prevention and stabilization efforts in Coastal West Africa.
Harris who landed in Ghana as part of her African nations weeklong journey to reaffirm United States relationship and collaboration on a range of issues, including: supporting conflict prevention and stabilization in Coastal West Africa.
On March 24, 2023, President joe Biden transmitted to Congress the 10-year plan for implementing the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability with the Coastal West African countries of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, and Togo.
Stated further that the plan is intended to address regional threats of violent extremism and instability in Coastal West Africa and enable the U.S. Government to work with Congress to marshal additional assistance to support efforts in the region over the coming years.
She said the United States supports the holistic approach being taken by Ghana, Beni seen, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo to address threats of violent extremism and instability, combining security, development, and peacebuilding.
“In support of these efforts, the USAID and the Department of State have begun implementing new programs to help strengthen economic development, increase governance and resilience in at-risk communities, including in northern Ghana.
“For example, USAID’s Africa Trade and Investment program, which the Vice President launched during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit Diaspora Forum, is working to increase regional trade and provide access to finance to entrepreneurs.
“The United States is also collaborating with international partners to bolster joint investments in border governance to build unity of effort between local populations and security actors.
“The Department of Defense complements these programs with civil-military engagements and robust capacity building and training for partner forces”.
The Vice President’s travel to Ghana reaffirmed United States relationship and collaboration on a range of issues, including: supporting conflict prevention and stabilization in Coastal West Africa; promoting inclusive economic growth.
Innovation, and regional integration; investing in women and youth; elevating engagement with the African Diaspora; addressing shared health challenges; and partnering to build climate resilience and steward our shared Atlantic Ocean.
In support of the breadth and depth of our bilateral engagement, the Administration intends to provide $139 million in bilateral assistance for Ghana in Fiscal Year 2024.
Also, U.S. Department of Labor has increased funding for programming to combat child labor, forced labor, and trafficking in Ghana with new investments of over $2 million and continued support and engagement with the Government of Ghana through the Child Labor in Cocoa Coordinating Group.
On health, as part of the overall U.S. Government global health security efforts and in support of National Biodefense Strategy target to directly support 50 countries to improve their health security capacities.
The U.S. Government, through USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), planned to provide approximately $20 million over the next three years (Fiscal Years 2022-2024 funds).
Pending the availability of appropriations and final funding allocations, to strengthen Ghana’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
The President’s FY 2024 Budget includes an additional $9 million in USAID funding for this purpose, requested to be provided during this timeframe. Funding will support communities to identify and mitigate risks for the spread of infectious diseases between animals and humans.
Improve community surveillance systems to quickly identify and respond to emerging health threats; and strengthen laboratory capacity to safely and accurately detect prioritized infectious diseases.