PO-3106: Highlights of Secretary O'Neill's Schedule in Africa



	FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS May 16, 2002 PO-3106 Highlights of Secretary O'Neill's Schedule in Africa GHANA (Arrive late Monday May 20; Depart early Thursday May 23) Secretary will meet with President Kufuor Secretary will meet with Ghanaian Government Economic Team Secretary will give a speech outlining the purpose of the trip and highlighting Ghana's potential to promote private sector-led economic growth Secretary will tour ACS-BPS, an example of foreign direct investment Secretary will visit with small local ventures assisted by USAID and community development projects financed by the African Development Bank to see examples of how official aid is working Secretary will travel to Tamale, in northern Ghana, to learn about conditions outside the capital Secretary will visit a local hospital to learn first hand the threat AIDS and other infectious diseases pose to the people of Ghana and their economic future Secretary will meet with NGOs promoting economic development, rule of law and civic action in Ghana SOUTH AFRICA (Arrive mid afternoon Thursday May 23; Depart afternoon Sunday May 26) Secretary will meet with President Mbeki Secretary will meet with Finance Minister Manuel Secretary will meet with Central Bank Governor Mboweni Secretary will meet with South African businessmen and labor leaders Secretary will tour Ford Plant in Pretoria, example of successful foreign direct investment and a model corporate AIDS program Secretary will visit Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto to learn about progress from investment in AIDS research Secretary will tour People's Dialogue Moderate Housing Project, an example of expanding home-ownership to build the foundation of a private sector economy Secretary will tour a high school in Soweto, to learn about the investment in education to unleash human potential Secretary will visit the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to highlight the importance of capital to development UGANDA (Arrive evening Sunday May 26;Depart evening Tuesday May 28) Secretary will meet with President Museveni Secretary will meet with Central Bank Governor Tumusiime Secretary will meet with Finance Minister Ssendaula Secretary will meet with other government officials, NGO representatives, businessmen and academics Secretary will give a speech at Makerere University, highlighting the government's strong commitment to economic reforms Secretary will tour a cut flowers factory as an example of export diversification Secretary will visit with small entrepreneurs who got their start with USAID micro-loans as an example of effective assistance, supporting private sector development Secretary will visit a private indigenous health clinic committed to treating and counseling people living with HIV/AIDS, in order to learn about Uganda's success in reducing the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the adult population Secretary will visit a water project funded by the Government of Uganda with funds freed up by HIPC debt relief Secretary will visit a primary school to learn about the investment in education to ensure every child has the tools to succeed Secretary will visit two HIV/AIDS research centers Secretary will tour Customs facility in Entebbe to learn about Uganda's efforts to administer its borders efficiently to facilitate exports ETHIOPIA (Arrive evening of Tuesday May 28; Depart morning of Friday May 31) Secretary will attend annual meeting of African Development Bank, deliver US Governor's Statement and meet with AfDB President Kabbaj Secretary will meet with other African Finance Ministers as well as with US and African businessmen doing business throughout the continent Secretary will meet with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles and Finance Minister Sufian Secretary will visit a private coffee processing plant, an example of a successful agribusiness exporter Secretary will meet with religious leaders coping with the spread of AIDS Secretary will visit a school receiving official development assistance to learn of the effectiveness of this investment in human development Secretary will tour a garment factory to highlight the benefits of open borders, particularly the African Growth and Opportunity Act (enacted in 2000 to reduce US trade barriers to African products)