Accra, July 11, GNA - US President Barack Obama on Saturday hailed Ghana for the country's stellar performance as a thriving democratic state and gave the assurance that his administration would make it a cardinal part of US policy by partnering with their Ghanaian counterpart to develop a growth strategy that would enable her become a successful nation.

Admitting to be a "long admirer" of Ghana, President Obama declared that a centrepiece of his administration would be to ensure that progressive countries like Ghana were not made marginal, but a cardinal part of US foreign policy. "Africa is not separated from the rest of the world," the US President affirmed, arguing that Ghana, like other African nations making progress in democratic and economic tenets, must be offered appreciable support to enable them become self-sustaining. President Obama said this when he held discussions with President John Evans Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu, on Saturday. He re-echoed this point when he addressed an expanded breakfast meeting for about 300 guests that included Vice President John Mahama, former

President Jerry John Rawlings and former President John Agyekum Kufuor. Laying out this theme for a country that he confessed to have been in love with, President Obama admitted that there would be challenges in making Ghana an economically self-sustaining society, but was swayed in accepting that the excellent leadership being provided by President Mills' government would help to bring about the needed changes in the lives of the people.

A centrepiece of President Obama's message was to recognize the sterling leadership being offered by President Mills, which, he said, had warmed him to the heart of the American establishment but cautioned against slackness in sustaining the momentum as the US offered the support to bring about the expected dividends. Describing Ghana as an extraordinary country, President Obama recognized the pains the people had to make in getting to their current stage, nonetheless, he was satisfied with the strides in bringing about stability to engender the growth.

President Obama praised both ex-Presidents Rawlings and Kufour for their part in galvanizing the people in support of democracy that honoured the liberty of all citizens. President's Mills appointment of women to key positions pleased the US President. He was of the view that encouraging more women in key leadership positions would make Ghana more viable and open to divergent ideas as "women make strong nation". He said under his administration, the US government would seek firm collaboration with thriving nations such Ghana, which he admitted had achieved "extra-ordinary success on the African continent" to promote economic, social and accountable systems for the benefit of the people. Africa has often been relegated to the burner in US policies but

President Barack Obama assured President Mills during an interaction at the Castle Osu that "Africa would not be separated from the rest of the world" in the pursuit of US policies. He urged President Mills' government not to slip from the path he had chosen, insisting that transparent leadership and openness will ensure Ghana more prosperity and stability. While thanking Ghanaians for the warm reception accorded his family since arriving in Ghana on Friday, the visiting US leader expressed the readiness of his administration to work with Africa to spur change in economic development of the continent with countries like Ghana being the lead agents of that change. Reiterating his passion for the Ghanaian people, President Obama was optimistic that the productive relationships between the two friendly nations would continue to endure.

President Mills in welcoming his guest commended the US leader for the positive signals and hand of partnership he was extending to many poor countries to help lift them out of the bog of poverty. He said Ghana stood ready to work with the US President in bringing about his vision of change in the fortunate of the people. President Mills said he the US leader's inspirational leadership had provided the world with the tonic that it required to make humanity the showpiece of progress.