Obama's First Visits to Africa – the Debates
US President’s Trip to Egypt and Ghana Generates Public Interest
May 17, 2009
The White House announced on Saturday May 16, 2009, that President Obama along with his wife, Michelle, will visit Accra, Ghana, on July 10 and 11. The president’s visit to Ghana which will be his second to Africa, will be just after his participation in the G8 summit in L'Aquila, Italy, which takes place from July 8 to July 10.
The president is expected to make his first visit to Africa on June 4, when he is expected in Egypt to deliver a speech on America’s relationship with the Muslim World.
Why did Obama Choose to visit Egypt
The president’s choice of Egypt as the first country to be visited in Africa has generated controversy among some American’s who doubt the democratic credentials of the Egyptian leader, Hosni Mubarak. Opponents of the president’s intended visit to Egypt say President Mubarak has resisted all efforts to have him introduce more democratic reforms within his government.
Some Africans are also wondering why the president has not visited Kenya, the home country of his father. The East African country has not been mentioned as one of the countries to be visited in Obama's maiden visits to Africa. The last time Obama visited his fatherland was in 2006, when he was still a senator.
However, the CNN reported on May 17, that at a recent a recent daily briefing, White House Press secretary, Robert Gibbs, responded to questions regarding the choice of Egypt. Gibbs is said to have justified the choice by saying, "Egypt is a country that in many ways represents the heart of the Arab world."
Obama’s Visit to Ghana, the Controversies and Debates
In the West African Country of Ghana where the US president in due on July 10, there are ongoing debates among politicians and experts in international relations as regards the benefits of the intended visit to the Sub-Saharan Country. Supporters of Ghana’s ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) say the visit is a sign of how the US government appreciates the works of the current Ghanaian government which came to power in January this year.
Opponents of the NDC, however, say the visit by the US president is in recognition of the sound democratic credentials which were promoted under the immediate past government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by Mr. J. A. Kufuor.
Ghanaian expert on international relations, Dr. Nii Alarbi, told Ghanaian-based Joy FM on Saturday May 16, that the visit by Barack Obama is an indication of the maturity of Ghana’s democracy. He said the nation should be thinking about how to make the best out of the visit and warned against any politization of the visit of the first African- American US president to the Country.
Purpose of Obama’s Visit to Ghana
In a news statement, the White House announced that while in Ghana, Obama will address various bilateral and regional issues with Ghanaian President John Atta Mills.
"The President and Mrs. Obama look forward to strengthening the U.S. relationship with one of our most trusted partners in sub-Saharan Africa, and to highlighting the critical role that sound governance and civil society play in promoting lasting development," the White House statement that announced the planned visit stated.
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