On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I want to convey our best wishes to the people of Ghana on the celebration of the Republic’s 59th anniversary of independence on March 6.

Ghana and the United States are strong partners, and we share the ideals of democracy, human rights, educational opportunity, free enterprise, peace, and stability. Our longstanding partnership is also based on our mutual interest in the region’s future, and we look to Ghana – one of the leading democracies on the African continent – to remain a model for the region with fair and credible elections later in the year. On this special occasion, I send warm wishes to the government and people of Ghana for a joyous independence celebration.