On her first trip to Africa since taking office, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Ghana and pledged $100 million to Ghana and four other West African countries in support of their fight against violent extremism and instability. During a joint press conference with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, Harris also confirmed that the US would be “strengthening [its] partnerships across the continent of Africa,” where Russia and China have been increasing their presence in recent years. Akufo-Addo, who leads one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, expressed concern over the presence of Russian mercenaries in West Africa and that the region was in danger of becoming “the playground for great power conflict.”

Aside from the security concerns, Ghana is also facing an economic crisis that has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding pledged by Harris, as well as the $139 million requested from Congress to support local musicians, reduce child labor, defend against disease outbreaks, and improve weather forecasting, will undoubtedly provide relief to the country. Harris’s visit to Ghana is part of a wider approach by the Biden administration to broaden US outreach at a time when China and Russia are increasing their influence in Africa. The Vice President is expected to continue her visit to Tanzania and Zambia later this week.