High-level US gov’t delegation on energy trade mission to Ghana

The United States’ Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr Johnnie Carson will lead an Energy Trade Mission to five African countries including Ghana from February 6-17, according to a statement from the US State Department February 2, 2012.

Apart from Ghana, the Mission which includes executives in the US private-sector, will also visit Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria.

An official at the US Embassy in Accra tells ghanabusinessnews.com that the mission is expected in Ghana February 16-17.

The delegation is expected to hold talks with senior government officials to discuss challenges for US private-sector investment in energy infrastructure projects.

“Discussions are to include specific constraints to attract private-sector investment in the power generation and fuel supply sectors,” said the State Department.

The mission will also underscore economic development as a path towards sustained prosperity and peace and highlight US initiatives in the region, such as the Partnership for Growth Initiative and the Millennium Challenge Corporation programmes, the department noted.

By Ekow Quandzie