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President John Mahama will engage President Barak Obama this week as the US- Africa leaders leaders summit takes off in Washington today. The three day summit, the first of its kind, will see the largest gathering of African leaders, ever to be hosted by a siting US President. The summit will advance the United States focus on trade and investment in Africa and highlight the depth and breadth of US commitment to the continent, advance its shared priorities among others and will be on the theme �investing in the next generation�. Nearly 50 leaders of African countries will attend the summit, with the exception of a few, who are either not in good standing with the African Union or who are specifically designated for US sanctions, including Zimbabwe, Sudan and Central African Republic among others. It is important to note that President Obama will not be able to hold bilateral talks with all these leaders, but he will however engage broadly with all of them. Today, Monday August 4th, there will be five signature events including one on health and civil society, an AGOA forum and a reception for all the leaders at Capitol hill. Tomorrow 5th August there will be the US Africa business forum where African leaders will engage with business executives from both sides of the Atlantic and President Obama will participate in the conversations with CEOS and government leaders from the US and Africa. On Wednesday African leaders including Prez Mahama and President Obama will engage in dialogue in three sessions that will address issues of shared interest and mutual concern.