Mr Gene Cretz, the out-going United States (US) Ambassador in Ghana, has called for modification of the ‘winner takes all’ electoral system in Ghana.
He pointed out that the system was not good for a healthy democracy.
He said in the US the ‘winner takes all’ had been stabilized, which had led to stable electoral processes; “with give and take forming the basis of policies.”
Mr Cretz made the remark on Tuesday in Accra, during a press roundtable to bid Ghanaians farewell after a three-year duty tour.
He urged the Electoral Commission to reflect on its past activities and make reforms so that past mistakes were not repeated in future elections.
The Ambassador further lauded Ghana’s democratic credentials as a shining example to Africa and the rest of the world.
“The integrity and stability of Ghana as a democratic nation in the emerging world is a testament to the potential success of others,” he said.
He said during his duty tour, the US government undertook projects such as the construction and rehabilitation of 250 schools, scholarships for boys and girls, training of teachers and improvement of basic education.
Mr Cretz said the recently launched USAID Partner for Education Learning Activity would benefit an estimated 2.8 million Ghanaian children.
He said research showed that it was vital for a child to learn how to read and write first in his or her mother tongue, and then in a second language.
“We strongly believe this $ 71 million investment will equip young people with the basics to learn to read and ultimately improve the quality of basic education,” Mr Cretz stated.
Through President Obama’s landmark Young African Leaders Initiative, the US has expanded the skills and networks of young African leaders to spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance and enhance peace and security across Africa,” he added.
The Ambassador said, in partnership with the government, they had been able to reduce the impact of malaria in rural Ghana, while nutritional programmes had led to a drop in the mortality rate among children under the age of five.
“Food security is an issue that is vital for the survival and good health of the Ghanaian people. It is also important to note that agricultural growth has been the major driver of poverty reduction in Ghana,” Mr Cretz said.
In this direction, he said, the US introduced “the Feed the Future Initiative,” which focused on helping farmers in the northern region to increase food production, utilize resources more efficiently, and bring their farm produce to market centres.
He said in the Western Region, they had partnered with experts at the Universities of Cape Coast and Rhode Island to launch two new projects aimed at rebuilding marine fisheries stocks.
Mr Cretz said through these programmes they would ensure that fish, a healthy protein-rich staple in the Ghanaian diet, remained a flourishing resource for years to come.
The Ambassador indicated that the stage had been set for great progress after government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed $498 million investment compact to transform the power sector; and described the MCC as his greatest legacy during his duty tour.
On security, he said, the Embassy was working with Ghana, and had hosted several bilateral and regional military training exercises, as well as enhanced operations capacity.
“Our two countries are also working very closely to combat the scourge of human trafficking. We look forward to signing this week, the first-ever bilateral Child Protection Compact Partnership with Ghana,” he said.
He said the US would provide five million dollars in assistance over five years, to help Ghana prevent and prosecute the trafficking of children and to protect the victims of this crime.
“We have also recently initiated a project to build the capacity of Ghana’s prosecutors so they are better prepared to successfully conclude cases involving drug trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering,” the Ambassador said.
Mr Cretz said over the last three years, there had been greater commercial engagement by US companies in Ghana; a sign that they were succeeding at building bridges between American and Ghanaian companies, and that these relationships were prospering.
He said during his tenure there had been five trade missions, two Cabinet level visits, and visits from several members of Congress.
Mr Cretz is retiring from active diplomatic service. His successor would assume duty once formalities have been completed.
Source: GNA
