said although a lot of local contractors had the capacity in terms of machinery, the competitive bidding process and other conditions attached to the acquisition of the projects completely alienated them from benefiting from the programme.

"If the programme is geared towards the eradication of poverty and general misery in beneficiary countries, then there was the need for the United States to take a second look at some of the processes."

Vice President Mahama made this call when he held bilateral talks with Madam Michelle Gaven, Special Advisor to President Obama and Director of African Affairs at the United Nations Conference Centre at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during his five-day long stay in the country.

He said Ghana had so far satisfactorily implemented the MCA programmes and in the next 22 months, the country would definately qualify for the next stage and appealed the U.S government to judge the country according to its track record in the implementation of the programme.

The Vice President also told the Special Advisor that government had embarked on an elaborate strategy to fight drug trafficking in the territorial waters of the country, by beefing up the surveillance system at the maritime centres.

We shall continue to pay more attention to that sector to rid our coastal areas of the country of traffickers who have taken us for granted."

He appealed to the American government to consider sending officials in crime detection and drug trafficking investigations to help the country to efficiently fight the menace.

Madam Gaven promised to communicate the sentiments of the Vice President to her government on her return.

She said the U.S government would be willing to support the government of Ghana to fight drug trafficking as that was detrimental and repulsive to investments in the country.

Madam Gaven also promised America's willingness to collaborate with the government of Ghana to ensure that the government enjoyed the full benefits of her oil find. Source: GNA - Ghana News Agency