Obama in Ghana

This Friday and Saturday, President Obama visited Ghana. He was only here a short time (a little over 24 hours), but his arrival has been highly anticipated. This was his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa since he became president. There are Akwaaba (welcome in Twi) Obama signs all over Accra. There are even pop songs hailing his arrival. I have counted 23 Obama related song so far that have made the rounds on Ghanaian radio during my visit. The Obama related merhcandise being sold on the streets is out of control. Everything you can imagine is embalzened with an Obama grpahic. I even saw a Obama Pez dispenser.
Obama stated he chose to visit Ghana because Ghana has a history of democratic elections and peaceful transitions of power, Kenya and Nigeria have viewed his visit to Ghana as a snub because both assumed they would be visited first. Kenya believed Obama ancestry there would guarantee them a visit, while Nigeria thought it huge population and status as an oil-produce nation would measure a visit.
Obama arrived on Air Force One late Friday evening, which made traffic home already more impossible than it is, so I went straight from work out to dinner and drinks with some of my housemates and co-workers. Obama was met at the airport by Ghanaian President John Atta Mills. Because of security reason, Obama accidentlly snubbed President Mills by leaving him on the tarmack after driving off in the beast. In Ghana it is tradition to always see somone home safely and offer them a ride to their home.
Then Saturday we were basically stuck at home because of all the traffic created by the Obama visit. We watched it all on television. He first visited Cape Coast castle, via Mariner One, and got a tour with Atta Mills and then they had a short press conference and did some meet and greets. One of my co-workers got to shake Obama's hand and she was extremely excited.
After visiting Cape Coast, Obama flew back to Accra and visited a local hospital. He then addressed parliment and gave avery good speech. If you can access it I would suggest you watch it.
I've got to run to a meeting now. I love and miss you all.