Photo from Gambia Government website, September 2004: First official meeting between Ambassador Joseph Stafford and Gambian President Jammeh:
Ambassador Stafford stated that his biggest challenge is “to take the array of US interests here: democracy and human rights, economic cooperation, military cooperation, humanitarian assistance, combating HIV/AIDS, public diplomacy, counterterrorism” and be able to devote adequate attention to these difference interests. The Embassy employs a small team of both Americans and Gambians who do their best to carry out programs around the various priorities.
US Policy Priorities:
“First and foremost is promoting democracy and respect for human rights. [This is] linked importantly to other interests.” They do this by maintaining a dialogue with key stakeholders: the host government, civil society and human rights activists. Sometimes they’ll host a reception and speech on international human rights day, or organize and support a reception for journalists, or serve as election monitors.
Promoting economic development and strengthening economic cooperation. This takes the form of generally encouraging trade and US investment here. The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) encourages exports from the Gambia and the region to the US. Peace Corps is woven in to the economic development work as well. Since the 1960’s they have continuously provided technical and other assistance at the grassroots level.
Aid: Since the early-mid 1990s (since the most recent coup d’etat) there is no resident bilateral mission in the Gambia, but the programs continue on a smaller scale locally through the regional office in Accra, Ghana. The funded programs are:
Self-help programs at the grassroots (no elaboration on what these are).
Democracy-related programs, like the training for journalists.
HIV/AIDS – working with local NGO’s to provide publicity for prevention; assistance in offering voluntary counseling and testing.
Seminars for exporters on AGOA rules.
Scholarships for 700-800 (cumulative over the past few years) high school girls to pay public school fees.
Refugee assistance.
School feeding program through Catholic Relief Services, one of the most important partner organizations with the American aid program.
Food Aid, which has been suspended this year because of graver emergency situations elsewhere.
US Military provides training to Gambian military officers in the US and offers construction funding for the Gambian army and surplus office furnishings and medical equipment, as well as an HIV prevention program (remember the soldier in the condom billboard?!).
US Policy Priorities:
“First and foremost is promoting democracy and respect for human rights. [This is] linked importantly to other interests.” They do this by maintaining a dialogue with key stakeholders: the host government, civil society and human rights activists. Sometimes they’ll host a reception and speech on international human rights day, or organize and support a reception for journalists, or serve as election monitors.
Promoting economic development and strengthening economic cooperation. This takes the form of generally encouraging trade and US investment here. The Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) encourages exports from the Gambia and the region to the US. Peace Corps is woven in to the economic development work as well. Since the 1960’s they have continuously provided technical and other assistance at the grassroots level.
Aid: Since the early-mid 1990s (since the most recent coup d’etat) there is no resident bilateral mission in the Gambia, but the programs continue on a smaller scale locally through the regional office in Accra, Ghana. The funded programs are:
Self-help programs at the grassroots (no elaboration on what these are).
Democracy-related programs, like the training for journalists.
HIV/AIDS – working with local NGO’s to provide publicity for prevention; assistance in offering voluntary counseling and testing.
Seminars for exporters on AGOA rules.
Scholarships for 700-800 (cumulative over the past few years) high school girls to pay public school fees.
Refugee assistance.
School feeding program through Catholic Relief Services, one of the most important partner organizations with the American aid program.
Food Aid, which has been suspended this year because of graver emergency situations elsewhere.
US Military provides training to Gambian military officers in the US and offers construction funding for the Gambian army and surplus office furnishings and medical equipment, as well as an HIV prevention program (remember the soldier in the condom billboard?!).
No comments:
Post a Comment