HOMELAND HEALING:

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS INVESTS IN AFRICA’S FUTURE

BY ASHLEIGH FIELDS

Throughout her tenure in office, Vice President Kamala Harris has been working to rebuild and strengthen wavering international bonds between the United States and other foreign countries. Her most recent efforts resulted in a threeday trip to Ghana where the Biden-Harris administration pledged to provide $139 million in assistance to Ghana starting in October.

While abroad, the Vice President met with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana personally to discuss projects that focus on improving the country’s democracy, women empowerment and digital inclusion.

“Together, we will address the challenges we face, and the opportunities ahead. And today I will speak about one particular area of opportunity: Investment in innovation,” said Harris in a speech at Ghana’s Black Star Gate, which represents freedom and justice. “Innovation is the pursuit of what can be, unburdened by what has been.”

In hopes of creating more economic upward mobility, the U.S. plans to hire a full-time resident advisor who will assist Ghana’s Ministry of Finance to improve debt. However, Harris explained that this will be a collaborative effort.

“To be clear, America will be guided not by what we can do FOR our African partners, but what we can do WITH our African partners,” said Harris. “That means the United States is committed to strengthen our partnerships across the continent of Africa—partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society and all of you, partnerships based on openness, inclusiveness, candor, shared interests, and mutual benefits.”

During her trip, Harris hosted a roundtable discussion with six female Ghanaian entrepreneurs to discuss opportunities for corporate leadership and inclusion for all women. The U.S. has currently committed to creating a small business development center specifically for women and youth with the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA). Their goal is to provide workshops and training sessions with information on how to grow a business and enter the global market through exports.

“We must invest in African ingenuity and creativity, which will unlock incredible economic growth and opportunities—not only for the people of the 54 countries that make up this diverse continent, but also for the American people and people around the world,” said Harris.

At her first stop in Accra, Harris visited Vibrate, a creative company that opened last year in partnership with Kendrick Lamar’s pgLang, Spotify, and local sports organization Surf Ghana. Actors Idris Elba and Sheryl Lee Ralph joined her in hopes of underscoring the up and coming talent from the nation’s African diaspora community.

The Vice President was excited to “engage directly with young people and highlight the dynamism across the continent.”

Accra is the capital of Ghana and home to various music festivals including Afronation, Afrochella, Global Citizen Festival and the Black Star Line Festival.

Although the visit included numerous Ghanaian arts and cultural activities similar to this, Harris also chose to visit Tanzania and Zambia.

“This continent has a personal meaning for me because my grandfather and other members of my family worked in Zambia in the 1960s alongside a newly independent people,” said Harris. “I was fortunate enough to visit them in Zambia as a young girl. The values that guided my relatives when they were there, and the legacy of their efforts, remain a source of pride for my entire family and continue to animate my work today.”

The Vice President’s maternal grandfather, P.V. Gopalan was a civil servant for India. He was sent to the Government of Zambia as the Director of Relief Measures and Refugees in January 1966 by the Indian government. This is a full circle moment for Harris as she recently announced $3.5 million to support Zambian’s civil society through reform and oversight.

“Innovation results in one’s ability not only to see but do things differently: new methods, new products, new approaches, new ideas,” said Harris.

The Vice President was proud to announce the new use of climatesmart agriculture, revolutionary digital technology and efforts for economic empowerment. Over the next 10 years, the U.S. has promised to provide $100 million for funding across Coastal West Africa with an objective to stabilize and prevent conflict across the continent.

“African ideas and innovations will shape the future of the world, and so we must invest in African ingenuity,” said Harris.