VZCZCXRO6517
OO RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #2577/01 3541008
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201008Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5874
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 002577 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV KWMN MARR MOPS GH
SUBJECT: CODEL INHOFE'S MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT KUFUOR AND MINISTRY 
OF DEFENSE OFFICIALS 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 26, President Kufuor and Ghana's 
Defense Minister told CODEL Inhofe that Ghanaian peacekeepers for 
Somalia and Darfur must be properly equipped before a deployment. 
Otherwise, he said, it would be akin to "sending them to the 
slaughter."  Kufuor and Ghana's military leaders also thanked the 
CODEL for U.S. assistance over the years, highlighting programs in 
education, military assistance, HIV/AIDS, agriculture and the 
African Growth and Opportunity Act as beneficial to Ghana, and 
supporting regional peacekeeping activities.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Meeting with President Kufuor 
----------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) In a November 26 courtesy call with President Kufuor, CODEL 
Inhofe thanked Kufuor for his positive leadership role in Ghana and 
Africa. CODEL Inhofe also expressed gratitude to Kufuor for Ghana's 
history of peacekeeping around the world. Economic progress is also 
evident and Ghana seems to be making positive strides forward, the 
CODEL told Kufuor.  Noting Ghana's 2008 Presidential election and 
Kufuor's inability to seek a third term, Sen. Inhofe said he is 
looking forward to continuing a close relationship with Ghana and 
its next President. 
 
¶3. (SBU) President Kufuor said that Ghana has enjoyed close 
cooperation with the U.S. and he expects it to continue into the 
future. While Ghana has made progress in many areas, Kufuor said 
problems remain. Stability, Kufuor stressed, is paramount because 
instability can hinder development and deter investors. Ghana, he 
said, continues to work to stabilize itself and neighboring 
countries.  Ghana also looks across Africa in its stabilization 
efforts and Kufuor pointed to Somalia and Darfur as places where 
Ghana is interested in assisting.  Kufuor is pleased that the UN 
approved the Hybrid Force for Sudan, but emphasized that these 
forces must be equipped properly in order to have a chance. 
Otherwise, he said, it is akin to "sending them to slaughter." He 
said Ghana is looking to the U.S. and South Africa to support its 
mission to Sudan. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Kufuor said that during his seven years in office, the U.S. 
has been "very good" to Ghana and Africa. He pointed to the USD 547 
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact for Ghana as a prime 
example of cooperation with the U.S.  Kufuor also pointed out 
assistance in education, mentioning the 2006 visit of First Lady 
Laura Bush, and said Ghana values assistance on HIV/AIDS.  The 
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) also benefits Ghana, 
however, he commented that Ghana does not have the industrial might 
to allow it to take full advantage of AGOA's benefits. To that end, 
Kufuor urged CODEL Inhofe to research ways the USG can assist Ghana 
to develop its industry. Kufuor also praised the recent visit of 
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and the launching of the new USD 
250 million investment funds for Africa announced by OPIC CEO 
Mosbacher during Paulson's November 19 visit to Accra.  With this 
assistance and on its own, Kufuor stressed that the U.S. should 
appreciate Ghana's and Africa's efforts at moving forward and out of 
the "chaos, conflicts and poverty" of the past. 
 
Meeting with Minister of Defense and Defense Chiefs 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶5. (U) Also on November 27, CODEL Inhofe and Ambassador Bridgewater 
met with Minister of Defense Albert Kan-Dapaah.  In attendance were 
Deputy Defense Minister William Boafo-Ofori, MOD Chief Director Mr. 
Ofosu Appeah, Chief of the Army Staff Major General S.A. Odotei, 
Deputy Chief of Navy Staff Commodore Bierko, and Chief of Air Staff 
Air Vice Marshall J.O. Boateng. 
 
¶6. (U) Kan-Dapaah expressed appreciation to the USG for its support 
to the Ghanaian Armed Forces.  He said Ghana's military helps 
sustain the country's democracy and economic development.  He noted 
that the military is perceived in Ghana to be a stabilizing force, 
and that it has a deep respect for human rights. 
 
¶7. (U) The Minister also noted that adequate budget support for the 
armed forces has been difficult, but that the USG has provided 
important assistance.  In particular, he cited the five new patrol 
boats that Ghana will receive by June 2008 from the USG, which will 
help Ghana confront the challenge of narcotics smuggling. 
 
¶8. (U) In addition to helping develop Ghana, said Kan-Dapaah, the 
Ministry of Defense is focused on peacekeeping operations in Ghana 
and around the world, and is trying to prepare for that challenge. 
The Africa Standby Force, he noted, would be useful but would not be 
ready until 2010. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Kan-Dapaah noted that Ghana's armed forces have served in 
Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Lebanon, and are considering Sudan. 
Regarding Somalia, the Minister said that while Ghana has agreed to 
send troops, there is inadequate equipment.  He stressed that the 
ability to deploy those troops depends on the GOG's ability to 
maintain them adequately and at the moment the GOG lacks sufficient 
 
ACCRA 00002577  002 OF 002 
 
 
resources. 
 
¶10. (SBU) The Minister said the GOG has examined alternate means to 
equip the troops, including the possibility of "wet lease" financing 
of USD 60-70 million.  He added that the UN will not provide 
equipment up front. 
 
¶11. (U) Regarding IMET, Kan-Dapaah said the program has been very 
useful for Ghana's military.  Lieutenant General Danquah added that 
the military had benefited significantly from the training, and this 
has helped develop Ghana's peacekeeping capability.  He asked 
whether the USG could increase the number of IMET slots for Ghana. 
 
¶12. (SBU) Responding to Representative Boren's question regarding 
the Ghanaian military's specific equipment needs, General Danquah 
said the military needs vehicles, including armored personal 
carriers and Land Rover-type 4X4s.  He also said the Air Force lacks 
airlift capacity, and requires C-130s if it wants to transport 
troops.  Air Force Chief Boateng also cited the need for 
helicopters.  The military chiefs promised to provide a list of 
equipment needs. 
 
¶13. (SBU) Regarding counterterrorism activities, General Danquah 
said that the military's ability to act is limited by the 
information it receives from national security sources, and said the 
GOG has a good relationship with U.S. counterparts.  He admitted, 
however, that Ghana does not have good sources of information on its 
own, and relies upon foreign cooperation. 
 
¶14. (U) CODEL Inhofe cleared this cable. 
 
BROWN