Remarks at a Welcoming Ceremony for President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana September 15, 2008

Sept. 14 / Administration of George W. Bush, 2008

the Federal Government’s support—sym- NOTE: The President spoke at 7:50 a.m. in pathy on the one hand and support on the the Roosevelt Room at the White House. In other to—for this recovery effort and re- his remarks, he referred to Gov. J. Richard building effort. Perry of Texas. Thank you very much.

Good morning. President Kufuor and corruption, and investing in their people. Mrs. Kufuor, it is a pleasure to welcome And America is proud to support these ef- you back to the White House. The Amer- forts through our Millennium Challenge ican people are honored to receive Ghana’s compact. Together, we work with Ghana official delegation, and Laura and I are to improve agriculture and infrastructure happy to host two good friends. and support development in Ghana’s rural The ties of friendship between the areas and bring prosperity to Ghana’s peo- United States and Ghana are strong, and ple. We have worked to promote free trade they are enduring. Many Americans—citi- as a powerful engine of prosperity for both zens trace their ancestry to Ghana. For ex- our countries. Last year, trade between ample, the great jazz legend Louis Arm- Ghana and the United States was valued strong traced his ancestry back to Ghana. at more than $600 million, an increase of Centuries ago, Armstrong’s forebears came more than 55 percent since President to America as slaves. In 1956, Armstrong Kufuor and I took office. returned to Ghana and played a concert Ghana and America stand as one in our for more than 100,000 people who turned work to free people from illiteracy and ig- out to celebrate their country’s march to- norance. Through the Africa Education Ini- ward freedom. tiative, Ghana and the United States have And when Ghana’s independence was se- partnered to provide thousands of scholar- cure, President Eisenhower sent a message ships to girls. We’ve trained teachers. And to Ghanaians from the people of the across that important country, schools are United States. He said, ‘‘We revere in com- being renovated, textbooks are being dis- mon with you the great and eternal prin- tributed, and Ghana’s children are looking ciples which characterize the free demo- toward a brighter future. cratic way of life. I am confident that our Ghana and America stand as one in our two countries will stand as one in safe- work to free people from disease. Together, guarding this greatest of all bonds between we’ve protected hundreds of thousands of us.’’ people from malaria. Starting this month, Half a century later, we see that Presi- Ghana and the United States will begin dent Eisenhower’s confidence was well distributing medicines to about 8 million placed. Today, Ghana and America are still people as part of a new initiative to combat bound by our love for liberty, and we stand neglected tropical diseases. as one in our efforts to safeguard freedom. Ghana and America stand as one in our Ghana and America stand as one as we work to promote free elections. Ghana is work to secure freedom from poverty. Gha- now in the middle of a lively election sea- HEARING na’s leaders are governing justly, fighting son, marked by spirited debate and close- with

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fought contests, which sounds kind of fa- What inspired us most on our visit was miliar, Mr. President. [Laughter] Whatever the incredible energy and optimism of Gha- the outcome, Ghana is showing Africa that na’s people. I will always remember the democracy is not a challenge to be feared, Little League game in Accra, played be- but a sure path to prosperity and peace. tween children from local churches and a Ghana and America stand as one in our local orphanage. As each young batter work to promote peace. Ghana is a vital stepped up to the plate, we heard about partner in our efforts to resolve the crisis their plans for the future, to become busi- in Darfur. Ghana has more than 3,000 nessmen or doctors or astronauts or even peacekeepers serving around the world, a fashion designer. One after another, we from Liberia and the Congo to Kosovo and saw children confident of their place in a Georgia. free and prosperous Ghana. Mr. President, I congratulate you on the President Kufuor, your country is a progress Ghana has made under your model of entrepreneurship and democracy strong leadership. And on behalf of the and peace on the continent of Africa. We American people, Laura and I are honored are grateful for the warm friendship your to welcome you and Mrs. Kufuor to the nation has shown ours. When Laura and United States. May God bless you, and may I visited Ghana this February, we were God continue to bless our great nations. touched by the gracious hospitality shown Mr. President. by you and Mrs. Kufuor. Thousands of people lined the street to show their gratitude NOTE: The President spoke at 9:11 a.m. on to America. One shop even painted the col- the South Lawn at the White House, where ors of the American flag; I hope their busi- President Kufuor was accorded a formal wel- ness went up. [Laughter] I was moved by come with full military honors. In his re- your decision to name a new road the marks, he referred to Theresa Kufuor, wife ‘‘George Bush Motorway.’’ Maybe next time of President Kufuor. The transcript released I visit Ghana, I can see that motorway with- by the Office of the Press Secretary also in- out stopping a lot of traffic. [Laughter] cluded the remarks of President Kufuor.

Remarks Following a Meeting With President John Agyekum Kufuor of Ghana September 15, 2008

President Bush. Good morning. I’m of these financial market developments on pleased to be here with my friend, the the broader economy. President of Ghana, John Kufuor of Ghana. I’ve been in close touch with Secretary We just had a very good discussion, and Paulson throughout this weekend and this before I summarize it, I do want to say morning. I appreciate the work the Treas- a word about the U.S. economy. ury Department and the Federal Reserve I know Americans are concerned about and the Securities and Exchange Commis- the adjustments that are taking place in sion and major financial institutions here our financial markets. At the White House and around the world are doing to promote and throughout my administration, we’re stability in the financial systems. focused on them, and we’re working to re- As policymakers, we’re focused on the HEARING duce disruptions and minimize the impact health of the financial system as a whole. with

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