US Vice President Harris begins Africa tour

ACCRA: US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Sunday that the US will increase investment in Africa and spur economic growth as she begins a week long tour through the continent aimed at countering the influence of rival China.

China has invested heavily in Africa in the past few decades, including infrastructure and resource development, while Russian influence has grown, including by the deployment of troops from Russia's private military contractor Wagner Group to aid governments in several countries.

Harris stated shortly after touching down in Ghana, the first destination in a trip that includes visits to Tanzania and Zambia, that I intend to do work that will promote investment here on the continent and facilitating economic growth and opportunity.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has tried to strengthen ties with Africa, in part to offer an alternative to rival powers.

In December, the US committed $55 billion to the continent over the next three years ahead of a US-Africa summit. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that US $150 million in new humanitarian aid will be provided to Africa's Sahel region during a visit to Niger this month.

Biden is yet to visit Africa.

On that trip, Harris will talk about China's engagement in technology and economic issues in Africa that concern the United States, as well as China's involvement in debt restructuring, senior US officials said last week.

Harris will meet Ghana president Nana Akufo-Addo this week and will visit a former slave castle from which slaves were sent to America during the slave trade era.

Harris will be in Ghana from Mar 26 -- 29 and Tanzania from Mar 29 -- 31. She ends up in Zambia on March 31 and April 1. She will meet with the presidents of the three countries and plan to announce public and private sector investments.