Journalist and managing editor of the Crusading Guide newspaper, Abdul Malik Kwaku Baako, who is among journalists accompanying President J.A. Kufuor on a three-day official visit to the United States of America, has told Joy FM of an elaborate welcome ceremony. U.S President George W. Bush Jnr. is playing host to President Kufuor at the White House during which they would discuss issues relating to democracy, economic development and security in West Africa. A U.S. Public Affairs statement said at the weekend the visit is reserved for America's closest partners and will celebrate one of the closest bilateral partnerships the U.S has. Kwaku Baaku told Joy News at Midday that President Kufuor and his wife, Theresa were expected to arrive at the ceremony grounds together behind a motorcade, accompanied by five presidential staff and members of the Ghana mission. He said the pair were to be introduced to George and Laura Bush by the US Chief of Protocol, and in return, President Kufuor and wife would be introduced to their hosts by members of the US welcoming committee, “after which President Bush will escort President Kufuor to the reviewing platform where the national anthems of the US and Ghana would be played and the 21-gun salute executed. “There will also be a review of a guard of honour by President Kufuor and President Bush”. Mr Todd J. Moss, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African affairs is quoted by the US Public Affairs statement as saying that an Africa policy would be one of the legacies of the Bush administration - "that is something that the White House and President (Bush) recognize clearly and are quite proud of." Moss said Bush's February 2008 trip to some African countries was a series of celebrations, "and I think that inviting President Kufuor here for a state visit is part of that celebration of the partnership between Africa and the United States, and nowhere is that stronger than between the United States and Ghana." He said Ghana had recorded one of the enviable records in Africa by showing commitment in democracy during elections. Both the U.S and Ghana will hold presidential elections later this year and in January, both countries will have new presidents because both leaders are at the end of their constitutional terms. Story by Isaac Yeboah