Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Godfred Ansong, Basking Ridge, NJ — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:03:56 GMT

Why do Western media bunch African countries under one name? Is Obama visiting Ghana or Africa?

National events shape the global perception a country enjoys. It is with this awareness that most countries engage in media propaganda, with the aim of maintaining a positive image globally.

Ghana, a country on the African continent, has worked very hard to maintain a positive image. The country is under democratic dispensation, and has successfully undertaken numerous presidential elections without any violence. This cannot be said of so many countries in other continents.

It is therefore appropriate that western media would acknowledge Ghana for this effort instead of bunching it with other countries under one name-Africa. The media should mention Ghana as the country Obama is visiting in Africa instead of Obama visits Africa. Ghana deserves to be recognized for her democratic efforts.

President Obama has recognized this effort on Ghana’s part, and decided to reward Ghana with a visit. Why do the media want to denigrate this achievement. It is by no means an easy task to undergo successful transfer of power in a continent where politicians see politics as the means to enrich themselves.

Ghana separately deserves its recognition, and the western media would do Ghana a great service if it is singled out in reportage instead of being referred to as Africa.

When Obama went to Egypt, it was reported Obama was in Egypt, even though Egypt is an African country. When Obama was in Europe, the individual countries where he visited were mentioned. Why can’t the media do the same for Ghana.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Michael Buie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:29:20 GMT

It is quite interesting .. and gratifying ... to see how President Obama inspires.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Jonathan Hansen, Sacramento, CA — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:26:16 GMT

I totally agree with your point, Godfred - many people continue to perpetuate the false idea of Africa as a country rather than an continent with many different nations and cultures.

However, it is worth noting that this particular article uses some form of "Ghana" 20 times (including in titles), and some form of "Africa" only 10 times. All in all, I found it to be fairly responsible with regard to this issue.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

gemma garcia — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:29:08 GMT

that is so true. I agree with the first commentator. the media always do that. it's true. he is going to the continent, but the country of ghana should get praised for being stable. I guess the media is just as bad as Sarah Palin, they saying going to Africa, Africa is not a country, it a continent. remember she did not know it was a continent either. I guess a lot of American dont know this. shame on the media.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

honeychild, largo, MD — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:34:41 GMT

Hopefully, this will mean a brighter future for beautiful, industrious Ghana. Perhaps the potential this country displays will be cultivated to the advantage of the Ghanaian people AND the U.S. But Ghana had better be wise and study history. Careful! Another reason the U.S. is there is to catch up with China, which is already present in Ghana in a strong way - trading technology, such as satellites, for the many natural resources in a more fair and equitable way than any other European nation (or the U.S. for that matter) ever has. Maybe competition will force fairness toward Ghana in particular and Africa in general. Hope African nations can be shrewd enough to recognize and exploit the hand they now can play. After all, Africa is the richest continent in natural resources on the planet. Oil, diamonds, uranium, u-name-it. Africa, please unite and set your own price and your own standard. Learn from OPEC, etc.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

William Ayetey — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:53:21 GMT

Godfred: simple reason, they can't tell you where Canada is on a map, and some can't even tell you where more than 3 US states are located on the map.
It is irritating. I always say to people, I am a "Ghanaian American" to be sure that people think a little bit about it.
By the way, Oten den?

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Harry Brown Sint Maarten Netherlands Antilles — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:37:39 GMT

Thank God for men like Barak Obama,Martin luther Kingand Marcus Garvey,

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

THE REAL LICK — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:14:32 GMT

It is interesting that the President is going to Ghana, You must always remember that he represents the interest of the United Snakes of America and not the interest of the United States of Africa. The U.S. is trying to get the oil and the resources of Africa....Obama could be a Trojan Horse...Wake up African's and watch America and Europe. After all these years of exploitation do you think that White America, White Europeans are now a Kinder Gentler colonial power? How many Africans are dead because of the years of exploitation and murder of Africans in America and the Diaspora? How many Iraqis are dead, how many Afghanis, Pakistanis,Native Americans, are dead because of the White man and his Policies. How much suffering have the Palestining People been thru, because of European Jews? The Theme is consistent....where ever European's go....slavery, suffering, and death are soon to follow.

Respect,

THE REAL LICK

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Vincent Mattison, San Francisco, CA. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:40:25 GMT

I applaud the country of Ghana on the continent of Africa, and I agree wholeheartidly with the many citizens of this west african country on beeing singled out as a country of many countries on the continent of Africa.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

NorthsideRasta — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:41:54 GMT

The U.S.educational system is entertwined with the media...afterall the majority of the media are multi-generational U.S.folks.Remember the AP had a caption saying"Mrs.Clinton and Chesea Clinton walking among the pyramids of Egypt in Asia".Thats what it said 1996 or 1997 that Egypt is in Asia!Asians have a lack of African geography also unless it involes obtaining
oil,coltan{used in mobile phones,computers,etc.}
gold,copper,cocoa or cacao,the base of chocolate,and diamonds.Gofred, Michael,Jonathan,Gemma,Honeychild,& William...cool to see some knowledgable posters about the Africancontinent.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Jim, Alabama — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:49:40 GMT

I made the trip to Ghana in 2002 & came back to the states a different human being, having seen Cape Coast Castle, as well as the Castle at Elmina.

It was such a stark contrast...bamboo & mud huts next door to a swanky hotel built by the Dutch...a university with internet acess to the outside world just down the street from where workers were making concrete blocks by hand with mud & straw....a palm oil plantation complete with 18 hole golf course fit for the Master's in the middle of what used to be rain forrest but was now nothing more than a wasteland.

It is my hope that our commander in chief gets to see the 'real' Ghana.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Junior kalombo, Alexandria, Virginia — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:08:11 GMT

It is time for the American media to stop call Obama's trip to Ghana as "an African Visit" Ghana is not equal africa, it is one the many great notions in Africa. Lets stop this confusion.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

JULIO BENNOCCICCI — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:41:24 GMT

OBAMA SHOULD STAY THERE AND BANKRUPT THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Sadden American — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:43:51 GMT

Well, if we're lucky, he's just stay there... make THEIR lives a living hell like he's doing to the US... they can have him, since he's all lovey dovey for Africa! Stay there obam! Do us ALL a favor!!

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Ndo Obeten.Kyrenia,Cyprus — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:29:23 GMT

To me,Ghana is representing the "African Dream"-simply means an African country that has a true stake in its citizens by putting forth and implementing basic programs that ease the means of livelihood of its people.Just like any other nation,in the past it has experienced brutal military rule and ethnic divide but she has implemented quality programs to heal such divide.The end product is a democratic nation with one of the most successful transitional freest and fairest elections in African history setting forth a good example for war-torn and corrupt states in Africa and elsewhere to follow.
As the old saying goes,"teach me how to fish and not to feast,"Ghanians and other African countries should request for partnership and not aids in potentially vibrant sectors of their economy with the US-this is needed for eventual feasible development to make their economy more competitive and vibrant in the long run.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Kotoua Selira — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:29:42 GMT

Obama going to Ghana is really nice and Ghana as at now is an open gate to democracy in Africa and we deserve Obama first.
We look forward to welcome him and we hope he will like Ghana and may be come back next time for a holiday.We and america and our former masters the British love each other.We still learn a lot from them interms of democracy and good governance.Ghana is happy to have the most powerful man on earth today.Obama welcome home.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

California coast — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:54:07 GMT

I look at it like the President going to Europe or the Middle East for a summit. Not everyone is like Palin and thinks that Africa is a single country. Also, I find it hypercritical to bunch together different news sources as "western media" as if it is just one agency. I see nothing wrong with establishing that African countries have similiar agendas much like how European countries are unique but strive for the same goals.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Tutu wa Kiarie — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:01:23 GMT

Godfred on the board spectrum of issues you have a basis, however, this article singled out Ghana more than it generalized it. I see and get your premise though.

Obama has done a lot in trying to change the way Washington does business and that is why I would refrain from questioning his agenda in this visit. One thing we know for sure is that Obama unlike his predecessors regards highly the African continent and
that is why he is gracing Ghana with a visit. He would like to do business with African countries and Ghana happens to be one of the few with clean hands. Being the scholar he is, he must have been influenced by the likes of W.E.B DuBois and Kwame Nkrumah.
As a Kenyan I’d be surprised if he visits Kenya in his first term. Kenyan patched up leadership is not worth his visit. We have a long way to go.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Ignacio pullum — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:17:45 GMT

Ghana is truly the Black Star of Africa and that is why President Obama is going there. One black star deserves another. People are jealous because when you see Ghana, you do not see pictures of famine starved children with bloated bellies and faces filled with flies, nor do you see some ruthless dictator-"general" with machete and AK-47 wielding goons. GHANA GHANA GHANA GHANA! Don't tell me that Africans can nt produce a stable government. GHANA GHANA GHANA ! What you shouldask is why aren't more American blacks headed there as well?

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

ROTIMI E., LAGOS, NIGERIA — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:28:23 GMT

OBAMA'S VISIT TO GHANA, A COUNTRY ADJUDGED AS ONE OF MOST DEMOCRATIC IN AFRICA, IS DEMONSTRATION THAT HE RECOGNISES A PEOPLE WITH GOOD GOVERNANCE.BUT WILL OTHER AFRICAN LEADERS EMULATE GHANA OR CONSIDER THEIR PERSONAL GAINS FROM PUBLIC OFFICE OVER USA ENDORSEMENT OF THEIR GOVERMENT.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Peter, Nairobi Kenya — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:40:53 GMT

I didnt understand why Obama snobbed visiting his dad's country first until I read this article. Ghanaian citizens are luck to have given there oil to America, they will at least get security and there leaders accountable for whatever cash little trickles back, unlike Nigeria, gabon, equitorial guinne who gave there oil to the west

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

New York — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:48:50 GMT

Ghana's relationship with the US is much better now with Obama than with Bush. Bush wanted to put army bases in Ghana, which was very unpopular not only with Ghanaians, but also other African nations. Ghana got independence from the British Empire not to trade it in for an American one. If it had happen, Africa would have had the same level of anti-Americanism as the middle-east. I doubt Obama will wish for the same as Bush, given his father was tortured by the British Soldiers during Kenya's fight for independence.

There is certainly a strange relationship between Africans and African-Americans. Yes there is inverted snobbery from African towards African Americans because they were never slaves, but also there is a feeling from Africans that African Americans have done nothing to stop the exploitation of the continent of African nations by American trade laws too. It was the British who lobbied for Nelson Mandela to be released and the British that thought hardest to get crippling African high interest debts to be cancelled. That is why in Ghana people have a higher regard for British people than African Americans. What is embarrassing is Ghana now has a free heathcare system and America doesn't.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

lagos — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:20:33 GMT

obama visit for me as a nigerian is an honest one which is going to transfoemed the nation ghanna i enploy people to desent from those negative thought that his been motivated by the oil obama is back and will ever remain back

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

ELVIS DANSO, ACCRA GHANA — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:10:04 GMT

WE IN GHANA ARE SO HAPPY AND EXCITED TO KNOW HE(OBAMA) IS COMING HOME BUT ITS SAD THERE IS LITTLE PUBLICITY FROM THE WESTERN WORLD. NO ONE IS TALKING REALLY ABOUT GHANA. WE JUST PRAY AND HOPE HE COME TO ACHIEVE HIS PURPOSE AND MAKE US PRAUD. THE OTHER THING IS THAT NOT EVERYONE WILL HAVE THE PREVILLAGE OF SEEING HIM. THERE WOULDN'T BE ANY KIND OF OPEN PLATFORM FOR HIM. ALL WILL BE INDOORS BUT WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO BE PART OF HIS VISIT EVEN FROM FAR. THE OTHER SIGNIFICANT THING IS HE (OBAMA) HAVING BREAKFAST WITH PRESIDENT MILLS AND EX PRESIDENTS KUFFUOUR AND RAWLINGS ITS GREAT AND WE ARE HAPPY. GOD BLESS OBAMA, GOD BLESS GHANA .

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Ntakpe Abito,Jupiter,Florida — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:23:22 GMT

That's a very good point;and i think from now,those who do not know,they should know that Africa is a continent and not a country.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Mutombo Nkulu-N'Sengha — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:32:33 GMT

Interesting discussion. Yes, it is important for Westerners to be aware of the diversity of the African CONTINENT. But at the same time, Ghanaians should not speak as though AFRICA is such a DISEASE they do not want to be connected with. African Americans have often been accused of that, and rightly so in some cases. But Africans should not buy into that strange jingoism. Ghana is a new creation of yesterday. But the Ghanaian people are old and exist beyond the boundaries of the colonial entity called Ghana. There are many success stories in many African countries, not only in Ghana. Europe is getting united. Ancient enemies such as French and Germans are now calling themselves EUROPEANS. In this era of GLOBALIZATION let us focus on our UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD rather than the fictitious colonial entities called NATIONS.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Okoye, London — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:54:55 GMT

Hey, you silly western media, Ghana is not equal to Africa, get that right in your head. I am a Nigerian but anytime I visit Ghana, I feel safe and comfortable. Nigeria can not be like Ghana, at least not in my lifetime. So please, get that clear!!

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

Fed Up — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:06:57 GMT

If they love him so, they can have him...

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

sam,eket,aks — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:25:59 GMT

Ghanians should understand the reason why Obama has decided to visit,this cannot be far fetched,china is in ghana to offer what none of the european contries &america can offer.

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

M. A. C. Bognuor, Switzerland — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:36:34 GMT

It is so good to know that Ghana is stabled to merit the visit of the US President B. Obama. But question I would love to get un answer for is this: Does every part or region enjoys equally "THE NATION`S CAKE" as ONE NATION ONE PEOPLE? Or it is and has always been for the POCKETS of those in power? As the saying goes, "CHOP and give way for me also to come and CHOP" Hello Mr. President Obama, Welcome Home. Not only Ghana but all leaders of nations of the whole African continent need to reflect back to our first leaders like, Kkwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, Seku toure etc. Were leaders whose motto was, THE NATION AND THE PEOPLE FIRST. Please bring back a DROP OF THEIR BLOOD TO BLESS THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA. GHANA=ACCRA. I leave the rest for anybody to guess.
Thanks

Ghana goes ga-ga for Obama

M. A. C. Bognuor, Switzerland — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:59:27 GMT