As night falls over Accra, President Obama and his family will land at Kotoka International Airport. I'm sure Ghanaians are praying for divine intervention (spear-headed by Pastor TB Joshua) to deal with this rain; it still has not stopped! I still think there is very little information for the general public as to where we are allowed to go. Can we line the streets outside the airport and wait for the Obama entourage to pass. If all the streets are cordoned off and cleared of people, won't Accra look like an inhabited ghost town to our visitors? Where can we get a glimpse of the man besides TV, La Polyclinic or Cape Coast? It is all still a mystery to me. Anyway, one of the best takes I have read on the impending visit is a piece by Ms. Elizabeth Ohene, a former minister in the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration and a former BBC journalist. Her article was featured on the BBC over the past weekend and is available on their web page. It is a witty, humorous and sardonic view of the impending Obama visit that encapsulates everything from envy from other African countries, Ghanaian euphoria and also Ghanaian partisan politics. What I found particularly informative were the comments made and the reactions to the piece from across Africa and the world. I hope the BBC will forgive me for blatantly lifting a few of these from their web-page.
DISCLAIMER: BBC, please do not take me to court over this. I live by the Beeb and have done for most of my life. I first started listening to the BBC with my Dad when I was 7 years old ...way back in the day when (the late) Mr. Chris Bickerton hosted Focus on Africa.
Anyway, here are *interesting* views from the BBC web page in reaction to Ms. Ohene's piece:
My Ghanaian friend, I am a Nigerian and don't envy Ghana even if President Obama and his disciples visit your country everyday. President Obama is just another American president looking after American interests. In this case, it is your newly acquired oil shores. Your comments justifies my views about Ghanaians. Let me add that Ghana is the same size as Lagos Nigeria if not smaller. Good luck with your thriving democracy and good governance. I am happy that you are basking on something that is already in Africa.
Simms, Umuahia, Nigeria
Obama's visit to Ghana is NOT in any way Humiliation to Nigeria or any other africa nations.....OBAMA is Not JESUS CHRIST simply a president who chosed and decided to visit Ghana and may decide to Visit Nigeria some day. He can not visit all Africa nations same day same moment, Ghana is down to inferiority complex that makes them to see themselves as Brazil of Africa When Nigeria had beaten the real Brazil in a major football competition.
marcel eze, abidjan
Aw pulezzzz!!! Whether Obama comes or not, Nigeria is still the giant of Africa. It is okay for Obama to encourage Ghana's democracy. In spite of our current woes we still have a profound influence across Africa. Imagine what happens when we work through our problems....the whole world will come to our door steps.
Ono Vu, Abuja-Nigeria
Yikes, a serious case of very sour grapes methinks! Anyway, I would recommend reading Ms. Ohene's article and all the comments lest I present my own slant on this.
Obama day has started out bright. I drove into work this morning with the sun in my heart and rain on my windscreen listening to the BBC. Our very own Ghanaian BBC journalist Komla Dumor was live from Accra with a very poignant piece about the impending visit. He made a heartfelt trip to Cape Coast Castle and the slave dungeons which has had me reflecting on the impact of the upcoming Cape Coast visit for Michelle Obama in particular. Mr. Dumor also touched on some stark realities surrounding the new Obama administration vis-a-vis Africa. There have been some unfulfilled campaign promises and real questions about more trade and less aid. My fellow blogger Pen Powder's posting this morning also encapsulates the real questions about economic partnerships to improve Africa after stripping away all the Obama-mania and hype.
Not all Ghanaians are gushing with joy about the visit. Just this morning on Kwaku Sakyi-Addo's Joy FM programme some people were asking about whether President Obama will apologise to the Ghanaian people for the (purported) US role in the over-throw of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1966. Interesting question..somewhat logical but completely ludicrous at the same time! Anyway, have to get to work so I can go and bask in the Obama-Ghana glory later!
DISCLAIMER: BBC, please do not take me to court over this. I live by the Beeb and have done for most of my life. I first started listening to the BBC with my Dad when I was 7 years old ...way back in the day when (the late) Mr. Chris Bickerton hosted Focus on Africa.
Anyway, here are *interesting* views from the BBC web page in reaction to Ms. Ohene's piece:
My Ghanaian friend, I am a Nigerian and don't envy Ghana even if President Obama and his disciples visit your country everyday. President Obama is just another American president looking after American interests. In this case, it is your newly acquired oil shores. Your comments justifies my views about Ghanaians. Let me add that Ghana is the same size as Lagos Nigeria if not smaller. Good luck with your thriving democracy and good governance. I am happy that you are basking on something that is already in Africa.
Simms, Umuahia, Nigeria
Obama's visit to Ghana is NOT in any way Humiliation to Nigeria or any other africa nations.....OBAMA is Not JESUS CHRIST simply a president who chosed and decided to visit Ghana and may decide to Visit Nigeria some day. He can not visit all Africa nations same day same moment, Ghana is down to inferiority complex that makes them to see themselves as Brazil of Africa When Nigeria had beaten the real Brazil in a major football competition.
marcel eze, abidjan
Aw pulezzzz!!! Whether Obama comes or not, Nigeria is still the giant of Africa. It is okay for Obama to encourage Ghana's democracy. In spite of our current woes we still have a profound influence across Africa. Imagine what happens when we work through our problems....the whole world will come to our door steps.
Ono Vu, Abuja-Nigeria
Yikes, a serious case of very sour grapes methinks! Anyway, I would recommend reading Ms. Ohene's article and all the comments lest I present my own slant on this.
Obama day has started out bright. I drove into work this morning with the sun in my heart and rain on my windscreen listening to the BBC. Our very own Ghanaian BBC journalist Komla Dumor was live from Accra with a very poignant piece about the impending visit. He made a heartfelt trip to Cape Coast Castle and the slave dungeons which has had me reflecting on the impact of the upcoming Cape Coast visit for Michelle Obama in particular. Mr. Dumor also touched on some stark realities surrounding the new Obama administration vis-a-vis Africa. There have been some unfulfilled campaign promises and real questions about more trade and less aid. My fellow blogger Pen Powder's posting this morning also encapsulates the real questions about economic partnerships to improve Africa after stripping away all the Obama-mania and hype.
Not all Ghanaians are gushing with joy about the visit. Just this morning on Kwaku Sakyi-Addo's Joy FM programme some people were asking about whether President Obama will apologise to the Ghanaian people for the (purported) US role in the over-throw of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah in 1966. Interesting question..somewhat logical but completely ludicrous at the same time! Anyway, have to get to work so I can go and bask in the Obama-Ghana glory later!
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