US Military Command Seeks Enhanced Ties With GAF

By Edmund Mingle
Wednesday, 04 March 2009

A delegation from the United States Military Command for Africa yesterday met with President J.E.A. Mills at the Castle, Osu to find ways of enhancing cooperation between the Command and the Ghana Armed Forces.
The delegation, led by Mrs. Mary Carlin Yates, Deputy Commander for Civil Activity of the US Military Africa Command, said they were impressed about the country’s recent peaceful general election and the growth of democracy.
President Mills thanked the US government and others who worked behind the scenes to ensure that democracy gained root in Ghana.
He acknowledged the high level of democracy and governance practised in the US, and noted that Ghana was learning from such democratic societies to improve her governance system.
President Mills assured the delegation of the government’s commitment to strengthening the democratic dispensation and good governance through operating an accountable and open society where equal opportunities exist for all the citizens.
He said democracy was the choice of Ghanaians, and any government that did not promote democracy did so at its own risk, “because the people have the final say.”
“Governments go and governments come, but the most important thing is that they do not abuse the confidence reposed in them by the people,” he said.
The President praised Mrs. Yates, a former US Ambassador to Ghana from 2002 to 2005, for her contribution to the country’s socio-economic growth during her working tour in Ghana, saying “you are welcome back to a new Ghana .”
Mrs. Yates, congratulated President Mills on his election, and commended Ghanaians for a peaceful transition.
She described Ghana as “a model for democracy in Africa which other countries, troubled by political conflicts, should emulate”.