APA – Accra (Ghana)
The report of the United States Vice President Kamala Harris tour of the Cape Coast Castle, an old slave trading post and her reflection of the horrors of slavery in emotional remarks is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Wednesday.
The Graphic reports that as part of her three-day state visit to Ghana, United States Vice President Harris today toured the Cape Coast Castle, an old slave trading post and reflected on the horrors of slavery in emotional remarks.
Standing at a lectern with canons in the background, Harris spoke about the crimes that happened at Cape Coast Castle, a hub for the Atlantic slave trade in the 1600s.
“Being here was immensely powerful and moving,” Harris said in a cracking voice. “When we think about how human beings were treated by the hundreds of thousands in this very place that we now stand, the crimes that happened here, the blood that was shed here. There are dungeons here where human beings were kept.”
She wiped her nose and took several deep breaths as she was shown the female slave dungeons and the “Door of No Return,” where slaves would be forced onto ships for the treacherous journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
“The horror of what happened here must always be remembered. It cannot be denied,” Harris said. “It must be taught. History must be learned. And we must then be guided by what we know also to be the history of those who survived in the Americas, in the Caribbean, those who proudly declare themselves to be the diaspora.”
Harris said she would take from her visit the need to fight for “justice and freedom for all people” and “human rights for all people.”
As the first African-American to serve as vice president, Harris emphasized the need to learn from history and remember the horror of what happened at the site.
She also announced $100 million in funding to support conflict prevention and stabilization efforts in the region.
The newspaper says that the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, has urged African countries to prioritise digital economy and innovation, in order to transform their economies.
Speaking at a public lecture in Accra on Tuesday as part of her 3-day visit to Ghana, Vice President Harris said digital services are essential to the transformation of modern economies, stressing that the digital economy is an “area where we must together make progress”.
“Whether you are a student relying on virtual courses, a farmer relying on an app for an early warning about extreme weather, or a small business owner looking to sell goods online, digital services are essential to 21st-century economies,” said Ms. Harris.
The United States Vice President was impressed by strides being made by some African countries in digital innovations, noting that ‘there are places on the continent of Africa, that lead the world in digital solutions, a claim Ghana’s Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has often made, referencing some of Ghana’s digital initiatives such as biometric identity system, medical drone delivery and mobile money interoperability as a world leader.
Kamala Harris, however, lamented the lack of progress in some parts of the continent and called for the expansion of digital infrastructure to ensure growth.
“There are other places on the continent that lag behind. Expanding access to the Internet drives growth and creates opportunities for innovation.”
“Once people are online, they have access to education, greater access to information and greater access to financial services.”
Ghana is highly regarded as a leader on the African continent as far as digital economy and innovation.
The Ghanaian Times reports that MTN Ghana, has cut sod for the construction of the Ghana ICT Hub as part of the broader Ghana Innovation Hub project.
The initiative falls in line with MTN’s broader objectives of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress and its commitment towards supporting Ghana’s digital agenda.
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, Board Chairman for MTN Ghana, Dr Ishmael Yamson, underscored the integral role digital innovation and telecommunications play in today’s world.
He commended MTN for the critical role they have played in Ghana’s socio-economic development.
The leading telecom company has therefore committed US$25 million to support the project.
He also called on other stakeholders to collectively help in building Ghana.
On his part, Selorm Adadevoh, CEO of MTN Ghana, said the establishment of the Ghana ICT Hub would power Ghana to be West Africa’s ICT leader through innovation and digital skills.
“Over the past 25 years, MTN has been at the forefront of accelerating socio-economic growth. Critical to us has been the promotion of ICT and digital skills training and development across the country through the provision of educational resources as well as infrastructure development across the country to facilitate learning and knowledge transfer,” he said.
“MTN’s decision to partner and support the establishment of the Ghana ICT Hub falls right in line with our Ambition 2025 roadmap of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress. Our investment in the Ghana ICT Hub among other ground-breaking digital and ICT focused initiatives and interventions goes to show that MTN is at the heart of accelerating national development and socio-economic development,” he added.
The newspaper says that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has announced Ghana’s acceptance to join the Atlantic Cooperation as a founding member, following an invitation by the United States.
He said it was the belief of the government that such cooperation would provide the platform to develop shared approaches to the Atlantic Ocean issues and build on shared capacities and experiences for the benefit of the Atlantic Ocean region.
“As a coastal country bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Ghana recognises that no country alone can solve the cross-boundary challenges in the Atlantic Ocean ranging from maritime security to environmental degradation.
Ghana, therefore, welcomes and commits to exploring the numerous opportunities offered by the laudable initiative on Atlantic cooperation,” he said.
The President made the announcement at the State banquet in honour of the visiting US Vice President, Kamala Harris, at the Jubilee House, Accra on Monday night.
The Atlantic Cooperation, an initiative of the United States, seeks to bring together all coastal countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean to explore opportunities to advance shared sustainable development, and economic, environmental, scientific, and maritime governance goals across the Atlantic in accordance with international laws.
The initiative aims to foster a peaceful, prosperous, open and co-operative Atlantic region, and to build shared capacity, innovative technologies and best practices developed by Atlantic nations to preserve the water body as a healthy, sustainable and resilient resource for future generations.
Members of the community include the United States, Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Ireland, Mauritania, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Senegal, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The Atlantic Ocean is home to important trade routes, significant natural resources, and essential biodiversity.
Challenges such as piracy, transnational organised crime, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, climate change, pollution and environmental degradation threaten the livelihood of the communities bordering the Ocean.
The Atlantic Ocean also offers untapped economic potential, from natural resources to new technologies, with the Atlantic economy supporting 49 million jobs in Africa and generating some 21 billion dollars in Latin America. Two-thirds of the world’s renewable energy is generated in the Atlantic, and the Gulf Stream dictates the earth’s climate.
Touching on the economy, President Akufo-Addo said he was encouraged that more American companies were investing in Ghana.
On her part, Ms Harris said the Biden administration was committed to strengthening the ties that bound the two nations and their people.
“These ties are a source of strength and pride for both our countries,” she said.
The US Vice President praised Ghana’s leadership and advocacy on the world stage, which she said was not only vital but inspiring to many across the globe.
“Ghana is a leading voice for democracy, and a leading voice in the march for freedom, justice and liberty.
“While we face challenges, I look around and I am truly more optimistic than ever, and I know that by working together, the United States and Ghana, alongside the Diaspora and the people of this beautiful continent, will share and share our future for the better.”
GIK/APA