Saturday, 11 July 2009U.S. President Barack Obama is in Ghana where he began talks Saturday with his counterpart, John Atta Mills.
The two shook hands as they met outside the presidential palace, and stood side by side while a military band played the U.S. and Ghanaian national anthems. The leaders then inspected a military honor guard before going into the palace for talks.
Mr. Obama's landmark visit to Ghana is his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa since becoming the first African American president.
After meeting with Mr. Mills, Mr. Obama will address parliament where is expected to outline his administration's policy for Africa.
He said he chose Ghana because of its "functioning democracy" and its president, who Mr. Obama said is "serious about reducing corruption."
The U.S. president's late father was from Kenya.
Later Saturday, the U.S. leader and his wife, Michelle, will visit a former slave trading center where African slaves were shipped across the Atlantic for almost 300 years. Mrs. Obama is a descendant of African slaves.
Ghanaian authorities say 10,000 police officers are providing security for the visit.
President Mills took office in January after a narrow election victory that saw the ruling party concede defeat peacefully.
The Ghanaian leader says he believes President Obama wants to highlight Ghana's peaceful transition of power and democratic credentials as an example for Africa.
Mr. Obama's visit to Ghana is his last scheduled stop on a nearly week-long overseas trip.
|
Saturday, 11 July 2009
Voa News
|
|
