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29 January 2010

MCC Chief Executive to Visit Ghana and Cape Verde

First trip as MCC head since appointment by president

Washington — The chief executive officer of the U.S. government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) travels to MCC beneficiary countries Ghana and Cape Verde January 29–February 5 to evaluate project results.

The trip is Daniel Yohannes’ first to MCC partner countries since he was appointed by President Obama in September 2009.

During his visit to Ghana January 30–February 2, Yohannes will tour the N1 Highway, visit the Pakro School, meet with beneficiaries at the Bomart Pineapple Farm, hand out land titles and attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new land title registration office in Winneba. Yohannes will also meet with President John Atta Mills and other senior Ghanaian officials.

In August 2006, the MCC and Ghana signed a five-year, $547 million compact aimed at reducing poverty by raising farmers’ incomes through private-sector and agribusiness development. (A compact is a multi-year agreement between the MCC and an eligible country to fund specific programs targeted at reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth.)

During his visit to Cape Verde February 3–5, Yohannes will visit the Port of Praia and the Santiago roads projects. Yohannes will also meet with civil society members and Cape Verdean government officials to discuss guidance in the preparation of a second compact in Cape Verde. The MCC signed its first, five-year compact with Cape Verde in July 2005 for $110 million; it was aimed at transforming the economy from aid dependence to private-sector growth. Yohannes will end his visit with a meeting with Prime Minister José Maria Neves.

Besides chief executive Yohannes, the MCC delegation includes Jonathan Bloom, acting vice president of compact implementation, James Mazzarella, acting vice president of congressional and public affairs, and Gina Porto, adviser to the CEO.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces sound political, economic and social policies that promote poverty reduction through economic growth.

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