Kamala Harris arrived this Sunday March 26 in Accra. The American vice-president begins a tour of the continent until April 2, with first a three-day stopover in Ghana, before leaving for Tanzania, then Zambia. A strategic visit which aims to strengthen Washington’s diplomatic ties with the continent, a few months after the holding of a United States Africa summit in the American capital.
” What an honor to be here in Ghana, and on the African continent. I am very excited about the future of Africa. I am very excited about the impact of Africa’s future on the rest of the world. When I look at what’s happening on this continent and the fact that the average age is 19, what does that tell us about the growth of innovation and opportunity. I see in all this a great opportunity, not only for Africans, but also for the rest of the world. “said the American vice-president when she got off the plane.
Kamala Harris on arrival in Accra: ‘I am very excited about the future of Africa’
For Washington, one of the objectives of this trip by Kamala Harris is to change the American perception of Africa at a time when Washington wants to create a great partnership with the continent.
Evidenced by the sequence in recent weeks of visits to Africa by American officials. After the Secretary of State, the treasury secretarythe first lady, it is now the turn of the vice-president.
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So in Accra, Kamala Harris will take a close interest in Ghanaian youth. Tomorrow, she will visit a skate park and a recording studio for local artists, before having dinner with President Nana Akufo-Addo.
The objective of this tour is also to talk about the climate crisis, food security and increased investment in Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia, three countries whose democratic qualities Washington salutes.
But behind these American words also hides the struggle for influence with Russia and China.
On the security level first with the presence of Wagner’s militiamen on the continent. In the economic field, Washington hopes to counter the influence of China. Beijing, the leading creditor of many countries, including Ghana, now over-indebted and facing a deep economic crisis, with inflation of more than 50%.
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