President Obama said he chose Ghana for his first African visit because of its strong democratic credentials. His departing words were an encouragement to Ghanaians, especially the political establishment to get it right, almost willing them on, but the big question after this most high profile visit is: Are they willing and ready? Judging by what former military junta leader Jerry Rawlings (now head of a political party) told a TV3 journalist on the night of Obama's arrival, the willingness and readiness is still only skin deep. Some are still hankering for conflict – precisely what President Obama described as "a millstone around Africa's neck". These are early days yet and in time, history would tell whether the 44th President of the United States of America succeeded in using words to CHANGE a continent for the better.
A Harruna Attah writes: Using members of the US Peace Corps (established by President Kennedy in 1960) at the airport to see him off, as his backdrop, President Obama implored the youth of Ghana to strive harder for the good of their country
Obama's come and gone
Written by A Harruna Attah
Monday, 13 July 2009 12:22
What next?
Caption: President Obama greets Peace Corps Volunteers before he departs Ghana at the airport in Accra, Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
It started off as a low key almost scrappy welcoming reception when he arrived at KIA on the evening of Friday, July 10 2009. His Ghanaian hosts seemed unprepared for their larger-than-life guest, however, the next day, Saturday July 11 2009, things swung into action and by the close of day the Obama Ghana Visit had ended in triumph for him and Ghana.
There were two high points to the visit: the address to parliament and the visit to the Cape Coast Castle. He used the address to the Ghanaian parliament to enunciate his message to the African continent and the Cape Coast Castle visit to reconnect to a major aspect of US and world history – The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
The speech to parliament touched on four main areas (see full text below). When Obama visited the Cape Coast Castle with his wife and daughters, he said, "I think it was particularly important for Malia and Sasha, who are being raised in a very blessed way, that history can take some cruel turns,..And hopefully, one of the things that was imparted to them during this trip is their sense of obligation to fight oppression and cruelty wherever it appears." Obama compared the history to that of the Holocaust, Nazi Germany's efforts to exterminate the Jews of Europe during World War II. "It's one of those things that you don't forget about," he told CNN in an interview scheduled to air today Monday on "Anderson Cooper 360."
After being heralded by horn blowers before the speech to parliament, he said lightheartedly, "I like this. Thank you. Thank you. I think Congress needs one of those horns. That sounds pretty good…Sounds like Louis Armstrong back there."
The reference to Louis Armstrong was poignant and replete with history. Another African-American icon, Armstrong visited Ghana at independence over 50 years ago. It was an auspicious beginning to the speech which set the tone for what in effect sounded like a sermon to his people.
He was very targeted and brought home certain truths that were uplifting and must also have made some African "leaders" most uncomfortable.
On Saturday evening before he boarded Air Force One back home, he more or less reiterated his earlier theme, telling Africans to take their destinies into their hands and create the necessary environment for their growth and development. His goodwill towards Ghana was as effusive as it was obviously well meant as he said he was optimistic that the visit would open doors for Ghana.
Using members of the US Peace Corps (established by President Kennedy in 1960) at the airport to see him off, as his backdrop, he implored the youth of Ghana to strive harder for the good of their country.
President Obama said he chose Ghana for his first African visit because of its strong democratic credentials. His departing words were an encouragement to Ghanaians, especially the political establishment to get it right, almost willing them on, but the big question after this most high profile visit is:
Are they willing and ready? Judging by what former military junta leader Jerry Rawlings (now head of a political party) told a TV3 journalist on the night of Obama's arrival, the willingness and readiness is still only skin deep.
Some are still hankering for conflict – precisely what President Obama described as "a millstone around Africa's neck". These are early days yet and in time, history would tell whether the 44th President of the United States of America succeeded in using words to CHANGE a continent for the better.
