| 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. |