KB-E: Yes, in fact this is not the case just with the current government. We have been privatizing ever since Ghana became a democracy. Since the mid-Eighties, we have been privatizing. We do that to protect citizens and foreigners.

And another very important point in this connection is our human rights record. Ghana got the highest vote on human rights in the United Nations in the entire world. This is the first time in the history of the United Nations that the whole world met on human rights; every single country – 190. And Ghana got the highest vote – 180. So, our track record on human rights is very, very good. And we guard it very jealously.

CLC: Thank you. I think you have covered the area of investment – and protecting it -- very articulately. And we should add that English is the official language of Ghana, so your mastery of it comes as no surprise. Now, in the area of lifestyles, let’s say a family decides to move to Ghana and resettle there, are there any restrictions on purchasing and building?

KB-E: No restrictions. The only situation is that because of our colonial background, the land is leased in order to protect it for the tribal ancestors. But, there are no restrictions on the leases. You lease it for 99 years. It is very easy to acquire land in Ghana; you just need to lease it according to Ghanaian law.

CLC: Well, let me put this in context: you have 344 miles of beautiful, pristine beaches in Ghana, which means sooner or later, developers are going to want to build on or near them. If they lease the land, can they feel equally comfortable as if they bought it? What does it do to their resale value?

KB-E: In Ghana, leasing is almost the same as if they bought it. In fact, over the years, most investments have been through the leasing laws. It is very easy to renew it, and the costs are very reasonable. As to resale values, the government guarantees the right to renew the lease; the tribal chiefs do not control it. Because of the length of the leases, it does not affect the resale value. It is much like ground rentals in some American cities.

CLC: Understood. Let’s shift focus here and talk about crime, if we may. That’s always a concern to resettlers, in particular. According to Interpol figures, crime is – and I quote – “lower than in most industrialized countries.” In fact, in Japan, Interpol reports 1400 violent crimes per 100,000. In the US, it’s 4600. And in Ghana, that figure drops to just 461. Why is the crime rate so low in Ghana?

KB-E: First of all, Ghanaians are a very friendly and peaceful people. Second, there is a communal feeling among Ghanaians. We have a village tradition in our roots, so if something happens, we care for each other.  In addition, the government invests very heavily in the security system. There is a link between the military, the police, and the community to combat wrongdoing. That is why even when we were going through government turmoil in the Seventies, we never had any violent unrest. It is our nature to be peaceful.

CLC: Thank you, sir. I think that’s clear. Now, let me turn to an area about which I know you have tremendous expertise: medical care. And let me preface this question by sharing with the readers the fact that as a doctor, from 1996 to 2004, you volunteered your time – and paid all of the expenses – to treat patients in remote villages absolutely free. I want to congratulate you on that. You were also the medical officer at – and I have trouble pronouncing this –.

KB-E: O-kom-fo A-no-kye Teaching Hospital.

CLC: Thank you, sir, I couldn’t have done it without you. You were the medical officer there, so you know the health care situation in Ghana. It is a cause of major concern to potential resettlers, many of whom are Baby Boomers in their fifties and sixties. Right now, the Airport City Medical Center is being built in Accra in partnership with Johns Hopkins, the Mayo Clinic, and other major American medical centers. What is the state of medical care in Ghana today?

KB-E:  I must be honest, we have challenges in the health arena. But, the good news in Ghana is that in the cities and even in the outlying regions, we have hospitals. And then we have district hospitals. And we have teaching hospitals. Plus, we have a lot of private hospitals. In addition, the government has initiated a move toward national health insurance, which helps the citizens participate. So, those are important developments. But, we still have challenges in making medical care available to everybody.

Now, I should add that Ghanaian doctors are very good. We do open heart surgeries. We have intensive care units. We have orthopedic centers. So, even though we have a small amount of doctors, they are very good and the level of treatment in our medical centers is very high.

CLC: What about medical care costs, Mr. Ambassador?

KB-E: (Laughing) The cost is very, very low. Maybe for $10, you pay for medical insurance for an entire month. A doctor’s visit, if you go to a private hospital or clinic, it could cost about $10. A hospital stay would be about $23 a day, or if you go to a state hospital, probably less. Prescriptions would be a fraction of what they are in the United States.

CLC: I know we are running out of time, but before we close, let me ask you about education, a major concern to families who might wish to resettle. I know that in Ghana, you have 12,000 elementary schools, 5,000 junior high schools, and about 500 senior high schools. You have five public colleges and nine private colleges. And your literacy rate is a remarkably high 72%. So, obviously, your education system is quite advanced. What quality of education could a resettler’s children expect in Ghana?

KB-E: We were lucky from our first president that he made education compulsory, and our Constitution mandates it. Our current president has taken it to an even higher level. We provide our children with free education and education supplies. Then, we give them free food. And we even provide free transportation. So, the incentive to be educated in Ghana is tremendous.

And by the way, we now have six public and 12 private universities in Ghana. So, we are working very, very hard to increase our teachers’ capabilities, and we have made a national commitment to upgrade our standards even further. [EDITOR’S NOTE: The US State Department Country Report states: “The government of Ghana’s commitment to quality basic education is unequivocal.”]

CLC: I know our readers will want to know about the cost of living in Ghana, and I would be remiss not to ask you about it. In many countries at which resettlers and retirees are now looking, the cost of living would allow them to live very, very well for under $2,500 a month. What is the situation in Ghana?

KB-E:  For $2,500 a month in Ghana, you could live exceptionally well. You could live in very large home – and in Ghana, we have beautiful mansions -- for $1,000 or $2,000 a month. A mansion you would pay $10,000 or $20,000 a month for in the United States, you would pay two or three thousand for in Ghana. And, then you can have a maid and a cook and a houseboy for a few dollars more. 

For a comfortable flat, you could pay in the hundreds. Utilities may be a hundred to two hundred a month. If you eat the local food, which is very good, you can eat for dollars a day. So, in Ghana, you can live very well, very cheaply.

CLC: That sounds enticing. One final question, sir, if I may: The land is beautiful. You have the majestic mountains and waterfalls in the north. You have the Elmina Castle, designated one of the most beautiful attractions in the world by the UN. You have endless miles of pristine beaches. What would you say to both foreign investors and resettlers about the joys, the advantages, and the benefits of coming to Ghana?

KB-E: Coming to Ghana is one of the best things that can happen to investors and resettlers for the simple reason that the people are very friendly, and we treat the visitors as very precious. The investment environment is exceptional. The country is stable. When you come, we will give you the best opportunity to live well and peacefully. And we will extend to you the traditional Ghanaian greeting, “Akwaaba,” which means, “Welcome.”

CLC: Thank you, sir. You have been very kind. And I’m sure your words will attract the interest of many. I look forward to visiting you in your native country soon.

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