By Kefiloe Kajane
The minister of foreign affairs ‘Matṧepo Ramakoae has sent well wishes to the United States of America on the occasion of the US celebrating 245 years of independence.
Ramakoae said as the USA celebrates its 245 years of Independence, it has remained one of Lesotho’s major development partners and has contributed immensely on the socioeconomic development of the country.
She mentioned that, among all the positive developments that characterize good relations between the two countries, is the Millenium Challenge Account through which Lesotho received a $363 million grant from the American government.
“There is also the African Growth and Opportunities Act, through which we have managed to generate a sizeable employment in the apparel and clothing industry, as well as to attract foreign direct investment.
“We wish to commend America in her determination to work hand in glove with Africa. This has been clearly evidenced by the recent statement made by his excellency president Joe Biden on global vaccine distribution. We have learned from the said statement that, from the 80 million vaccine doses that the America will share with the world, approximately 15 million of those will be shared with the African Union and the Africa Centre for disease control and prevention,” the statement said.
The July 4 has been a federal holiday in America since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution.