President Akufo-Addo has awarded outgoing US Ambassador, Stephanie S. Sullivan — ”the State Honour of Grand medal” in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the socio-economic development of Ghana.
Stephanie Sullivan who was appointed in 2018 as the US Ambassador to Ghana is heading back to Washington after serving across Africa.
President Akufo-Addo paid tribute to the distinguished diplomat saying her four-year stay in Ghana enhanced the already good relations between Ghana and the US.
Mrs. Stephanie S. Sullivan started her diplomatic career as a Peace Corp volunteer in the Democratic Republic of Congo and later worked as Chief of Peace Corp operations in the whole of Africa.
She joined the Department of State in 1980 and has since been working in different roles in Africa and other parts of the world.
Her first Ambassadorial role came in 2013 when she was appointed as an Ambassador to Congo.
In July 2018, Mrs. Sullivan was nominated as the US Ambassador to Ghana and in January 2019 she was fully credited as US Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Ghana.
Since her accreditation, Mrs. Sullivan has contributed immensely towards strengthening bilateral relations between Ghana and the US in the areas of health, trade and security.
During her tenure, Trade between the two countries doubled totaling $2.7billion.
She was influential in increasing the number of American companies and subsidiaries in Ghana.
In the area of health, Mrs. Sullivan was instrumental in Ghana receiving 9.7 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccines to support the government in achieving its vaccination drive.
Defense cooperation between the Ghana Armed Forces and their American counterpart deepened during her duty tour of the country.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchway read the citation on behalf of the State.
President Akufo-Addo thanked Mrs. Sullivan for her dedication and commitment in strengthening relations between Ghana and the US.
Reflecting on her duty tour to Ghana, Mrs. Stephanie S. Sullivan noted that she was proud to make a difference in the lives of many Ghanaians in Public health, literacy, clean water, peace and security among others.
She expressed deep appreciation for Ghana’s leadership on the US Security Council defending the course of freedom.
Mrs. Sullivan was accompanied by her duty who is expected to take over her role, her husband, John and other staff at the Embassy.
She is the fourth foreign diplomat to receive such an award since the beginning of the 4th Republic.
