Text Timeline
  • Text Timeline
  • Graphical Timeline
All Speakers
00:00:0910 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Good morning. I’m pleased to be here with my friend the President of Ghana, John Kufuor of Ghana. We just had a very good discussion, and before I...

00:00:1922 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

I know Americans are concerned about the adjustments that are taking place in our financial markets. At the White House and throughout my administration,...

00:00:4122 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

I’ve been in close touch with Secretary Paulson throughout this weekend and this morning. I appreciate the work the Treasury Department and the Federal...

00:01:0323 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

As policymakers, we’re focused on the health of the financial system as a whole. In the short run, adjustments in the financial markets can be painful,...

00:01:2625 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

I admire President Kufuor, and the reason I do is because he has shown the world that democracy can flourish on the continent of Africa. He’s been...

00:01:5124 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

We had a good discussion about important issues, such as fighting disease. One of the initiatives that we’re working on together is the fight against...

00:02:1516 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

We’re talking about, obviously, fighting malaria. And the good news is, is that this is a Government that’s very capable of taking American help...

00:02:3126 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

We talked about education and economic opportunity. The United States supports vital educational partnerships in Ghana. We’re training teachers. We’ve...

00:02:5717 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

And one of the most important initiatives of this administration has been the Millennium Challenge Account. It’s an opportunity for the United States...

00:03:1423 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

country. And as the President mentioned in the welcoming ceremony, we’re soon to begin spending $547 million to renovate schools, increase agricultural...

00:03:3712 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

The conclusion of the Millennium Challenge compact, Mr. President, is a testament to your leadership, and I’m very comfortable in telling the American...

00:03:4925 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

The President has been very strong voice for peace. We talked about Darfur. I appreciate very much Ghana’s 11 U.N. peacekeeping operations that are...

00:04:1427 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

All in all, it’s been a good partnership, it’s been good partners amongst me and you, John, but it’s been a good partner between our countries....

00:04:4114 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

And so I welcome you here. Laura and I are looking forward to having you to dinner tonight. I promise not to unleash the dance moves—[laughter]—that...

00:04:558 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

And so we’re sure glad you’re here. Welcome.

00:05:0329 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

Thank you very much. Mr. President, I want to use this opportunity to express the deep appreciation of my nation and myself to you, as President of...

00:05:3214 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

The two countries have been friendly since Ghana attained independence in 1957. But I believe, under our watch this relationship has been taken even...

00:05:461 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Yes, sir.

00:05:4743 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

——and has translated into many supports affecting the—all aspects of our national life in Ghana. A typical example is the Millennium Challenge...

00:06:3034 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

So far much of our agriculture is subsistence, meaning farmers just scratch—[inaudible]—to feed themselves. But with the advent of the Millennium...

00:07:041 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Yes, sir.

00:07:0514 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

We are suffering as an economy adrift—very serious drift of the youth from the rural parts to the urban areas, which have not been planned to accommodate——

00:07:191 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Right.

00:07:2020 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

——the drifts. And so now, in our streets in the big towns you have street children. We believe the success of the Millennium Challenge Account will...

00:07:40
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Right.

00:07:4051 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

If you look at the malaria support from the United States, our country in the old times was dubbed ‘‘the white man’s grave.’’ It was malaria-infested...

00:08:311 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Yes, sir.

00:08:3225 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

Similarly, under your watch you have increased the support for the fight against HIV/AIDS, which is devastating many countries on our continent. I believe...

00:08:571 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Thank you.

00:08:583 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

——and you have to be accorded the credit——

00:09:011 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Thank you.

00:09:021 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

——for this gesture.

00:09:0337 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

In terms of trade, your country, I would say, holds the hub. We in Ghana trade in your currency, for instance. So with the current difficulties, naturally...

00:09:4035 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

If you take the current situation of rapidly increasing food prices and crude oil prices, which are subverting all the efforts we are trying to make...

00:10:1515 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

Again, with the climatic change—and here I have to express condolences and sympathy to the United States for what you are suffering down south in...

00:10:302 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

My State, Texas, yes.

00:10:322 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

But you must know you are not alone here.

00:10:341 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Thank you.

00:10:3534 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

On the continent of Africa, as elsewhere in Asia, we are victims of the changes of climate. But this, again, should show humanity that perhaps we all...

00:11:0919 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

So look to you to readily put abroad your resources, ethically and selflessly, so all of us will see how to contain——

00:11:281 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Right.

00:11:2937 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

——the challenges of global—climatic change, which again, should make us aware that perhaps we are already into the global village, and which we...

00:12:0612 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

But at bottom, Ghana is very grateful for the friendship we are—she is enjoying from the United States. And I, personally, am very happy and appreciate...

00:12:181 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Thank you, sir.

00:12:197 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

And I look forward to a good and productive retirement, just as I wish for you, as you go into retirement. [Laughter]

00:12:261 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Thank you, sir. [Laughter]

00:12:273 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

You have been good, and I hope history will judge you well.

00:12:301 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Thank you, sir.

00:12:311 sec.
Kufuor, John - President

Thank you very much.

00:12:3222 sec.
Bush, George W. - President, [R] United States

Thank you.

Loading...