Interviews

T.W.D.: You were recently reported to have highly commended the government of Ghana on voluntarily submitting itself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).  In what ways is this of interest?

M. C. Yates: The US Government commends the Government of Ghana on subjecting itself to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Ghana's participation in the APRM shows the confidence she has in her progress in good governance, as well as her willingness to improve her performance through what the U.S. hopes will be an open, transparent process of peer review. While we believe this is an important programme, let me note that an African government's decision to subject itself to the APRM process does not directly influence U.S. Government decisions on our assistance programmes.

T.W.D.: The United States continues to be adamantly against the Kyoto Protocols, refuses to join the international community in a common stand on global warming. Yet as the world's leading polluter the US has not made any alternative moves except to suggest technological improvements. Is the US saying she is right and everyone else is wrong and can she afford to continue ignoring the concerns of the rest of the world? 

M. C. Yates: Our attitude is very serious on the issue of global warming. The United States spends several billion dollars each year to deal with the effects of greenhouse gases and the problems of global warming and to develop new sources of energy that do not contribute to this problem. We have made abundant efforts internationally on this issue. We're working with other governments to develop technologies, to develop market-based programmes and other ways to deal with the problem.  We just don't think Kyoto is the right way to do it.  But we have been, I think, leaders in both the technology, the energy and the effort, overall, to try to deal with this in very specific ways, and that involves cooperation with many other governments. 

T.W.D.: Having had a first hand experience of Ghana's development efforts in the past four years, what is your candid assessment of her chances for success, particularly in seeking to attain middle income status by 2015?

M. C. Yates: Ghana's current success is the result of a combination of good policy (macro-economic stability) and good luck (stable cocoa and gold prices), as well as increased interest in assistance to Africa, and particularly Ghana, in the international community. The fact that Ghana is democratic, stable, peaceful and safe makes it more attractive to businesses, traders, NGOs, international organisations and foreign governments. It is, therefore, truly becoming a gateway to West Africa.  Ghana has some extremely difficult and complex challenges to overcome, such as improving the investment climate, good governance and managing ever increasing world fuel prices. Nevertheless, I believe Ghana has possibly her best chance over to launch itself on the path to middle income status and, at the same time, set an example for other countries in the region that share her vision for the future.       

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