Photo by Mona Austin
(TSN): Vice President Kamala Harris is in Africa for the first time this week to stregthen diplomatic ties in various nations with the goal of impeding China's influence on the Continent. Upon her arrival in Accra, Ghana on Sunday, accompanied by the Second Gentleman, the vice president said she wanted to promote economic growth and food security and welcomed the chance to ”witness firsthand the extraordinary innovation and creativity that is occurring on this continent.” she will also meet leaders in Tanzania and Zambia during the week-long journey on which Mr. Emhoff will keep a separate schedule. The trip ends on April 2.
Here we share details on the first stop, Ghana.
Being able to support to developing roads and help build other aspects of infrastructure to compete with investment China has made. The VP's priorities also involve addressing women's needs and engaging with creatives. Before leaving for Tanzania on Wednesday, Harris will meet with women entrepreneurs and Emhoff will tour a chocolate company ’57 Chocolate, is a reference to when Ghana became independent.
Uganda where being identified as LGBTQ was recently banned is not a destination, but some of the countries she will touch down in have social practices that are shunned by the United Nations. Some of the red flags are slavery, human trafficking and the misuse of child labor.
The U.S. is trying to maintain diplomacy in the midst of political and social uneasiness.
Harris' visit somewhat expands the scope of a trip by Ambassodar Linda Thomas Greenfield in January. Amd. Greenfieldd also visited Ghana, a nation of over 34 million people and the most stable U.S. partner. Ghana, however, has experienced an uptick in violence and the smuggling of humans and weapons. Greenfield described he goals ar the time thusly, "I I had four overarching goals for this trip: to strengthen our partnerships with current and former UN Security Council members; follow up on our priorities from the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, including combating climate change; shine a spotlight on humanitarian issues, particularly famine..." Athough it has a large Christian population, there is also a significant Muslim presence that is connected to terrorism. Opportunities to tap in to natural resources (like iron and aluminum) is an attraction to Ghana.
There is an expectation on the part if some human rights advocates that Vice President Harris should condemn slavery and other inhuman practices while she works to strategically invest in Africa's bright future.
The Second Couple of the United States will also attend a formal banquet together in Ghana.
(Photo by Mona Austin/The Slice News)
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