Accra, July 05, GNA - The compact rpt compact that would allow Ghana to access the Millennium Challenge Accounts is to be signed in the first week of August, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who announced this at a reception to mark the 230th independence anniversary of the United States, said the grant worth 500 million dollars was the commitment of both countries to democratic rule and good governance. To qualify for the MCA, countries must demonstrate a high level of commitment to good and democratic governance, the rule of law and economic performance.

Nana Akuffo-Addo said Ghana was making effort to entrench good democratic practices and the rule of law to promote the well being of the citizenry.

He lauded the declaration of the United States to human freedom, saying it formed the cornerstone of the many independence struggle among nations on the African continent.

Nana Akuffo-Addo commended the excellent and healthy relationship between Ghana and the US and expressed the hope that the coming years would see even greater cooperation between the two countries. Ms Pamela Bridgewater, the US Ambassador in Ghana, said the US was built on the values of democracy, religious tolerance, rule of law, free and open market.

She e praised the strides made by Ghana towards the building of a free and vibrant democracy based on these shared values, saying it was these values that qualified the country for the MCA. Ms Bridgewater recounted the collaboration of the US and Ghana in diverse areas of training and exchanges to enhance regional peace and stability, the partnership between USAID and local organizations to combat HIV/AIDS, promote education and enhance the work of women and children.

Ms Bridgewater expressed the hope that the common values would allow Ghana to move beyond the need for outside assistance and to create a prosperous and sustainable economy based on the effort and creativity of Ghanaians.

There was a display of what US companies and businesses are doing here and what the different arms of the US mission is doing to strengthen the relationship and contribute to a better life for citizens of both countries.