Vice President Kamala Harris is currently embarking on her first trip to Africa as the second most senior official in the Biden administration.
She officially began her trip in Ghana where she arrived in Air Force Two accompanied by Second Gentlemen, Doug Emhoff. Ghana’s Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia greeted Harris at the country’s capital alongside dancers and drummers as she walked down a red carpet flanked by both US and Ghanaian dignitaries and security personnel.
“What an honor it is to be here in Ghana and on the continent of Africa,” Harris said on the tarmac at Kotoka International Airport. “I’m very excited about the impact of Africa on the rest of the world.”
Harris began her trip in Ghana and will head to Tanzania and Gambia. Her trip will be focused on “increasing investments,” the “economic empowerment” of women, girls, the youth, entrepreneurs and focusing on “digital inclusion” in addition to food security and climate change.
She further detailed that she would be meeting with leading policymakers on the continent to discuss African innovation and creativity that is “inspiring the world.”
“We have a lot of work ahead of us, and again I’m so very excited to be here,” she said.
She returns to Washington April 2.
Harris’ trip is the latest among several officials who have visited Africa in recent months. Earlier this month, First Lady Jill Biden visited the continent, following recent trips from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. President Joe Biden is expected to visit later this year.
“Throughout the trip, in partnership with African governments and the private sector, the Vice President will advance efforts to expand access to the digital economy, support climate adaptation and resilience, and strengthen business ties and investment, including through innovation, entrepreneurship, and the economic empowerment of women,” a White House spokesperson said.
During the US-Africa Leaders Summit in December, Harris alluded to US efforts in surpassing Russia and China as Africa’s key players in terms of trade and other foreign relations.
“Our administration will invest our time and our energy to fortify partnerships across the continent. Partnerships grounded in candor, openness, inclusiveness, shared interests and mutual benefits,” she said at the event, which hosted nearly 50 African leaders in Washington. “And overall, our administration will be guided not by what we can do for Africa but what we can do with Africa.”
