The news that Barack and Mrs Obama will be visiting us in Ghana was greeted with a lot of joy and it’s a great honour and the people of Ghana can’t wait to say ‘AKWAABA’ to their ‘AMERICA FO KYIA MO’ and as this wont be the first time we have hosted an American President there’s probably a lot to be said for our hospitality…right?
I wouldn’t go as far as politicising it as this was by no means the work of any President past or present and any moves by any faction to score some political marks or erode the pleasantries of this State visit will be in bad taste. They are visiting the people of Ghana and no single Individual so please put the political placards away for a moment and the tribal ‘Ogbonu’ drums in storage and show some solidarity, peace and friendship.

NO POLITICS, NO SNUBBERY, JUST PROTOCOL AND HISTORY.
Neither will I advise demonising this visit as one of our neighbouring state has insisted on doing, sparking off an internal debate and some calling it a snub that he picked us over them. But if the argument of democracy and greater trading partner needs to be carried regarding this visit, then yes we give it to them as the bigger trading partner (no contest there) but the democratic argument is one that rankles and perhaps making them feel let down and perhaps its time to wake up to what some moderates in their own society are commenting upon that chances are they need to get their house in order first before receiving a guest.

But if we are prepared to look at things from the Protocol and historical point of view, then it is a fact that Ghana has already hosted a few American Presidents so chances are that an on going precedence has already been set which is simply being followed. We are very significant in Afro-American history, a fact no one can dismiss nor deny. From our fight for Independence and a unification of the African continent to date, Ghana has played a very significant role in continental matters and continues to shine the torch and fly the flag for Africa. Every year we host the Pan African Festival and Emancipation day for all Diasporean Africans to come together, and the forts and castles of the slave trade scattered across our coastline says it all and bear witness and a manifestation to the history of what we call black America today.

Ghana has and always will be the epicentre of any African movements hence the significance of any American President black or white visiting us is that of a ‘HOME COMING’ (on behalf of Black America) plain and simple and in that historical sense there is nothing sinister about that. If he had wanted to be choosy and a snob as is being depicted he would have gone straight to Kenya and laid in the bosoms of his grand-mama, and if it was just about business, then he needn’t fly all the way to sign and shake hands on anything…there are people well versed to do that on his behalf. Besides, if it was just about democracy and he had a bone to pick with rogue states, then knowing Obama he is the one person who would have chosen the trouble spots over the quieter ones and made the call for solidarity. The noises coming out of Nigeria doesnt make sense and If anybody wants to read too much into this visit because it is Ghana that was chosen, then the people of Ghana can only see it as a case of sour grapes and a personal affront on our hospitality and integrity as we prepare to host a guest. What are they trying to say? That they are richer than us so they are better than us? It is totally unacceptable and a disgrace especially when prominent men get all worked up about it and sarcastic. Even holding a simple Miss World Contest in there turned into a civil warfare, do they really think the CIA will risk an American President set loose on their vicinity? They need to look in the mirror closely and clean up their act.

KEEP THE BEGGING BOWLS AWAY
When a great man chooses to eat at your table, you don’t dress in rags and stand at your door with a bowl in your arms begging for alms before you can host him. If he thought you couldn’t afford to feed and host him he wouldn’t have come to you in the first place, and even if he did he would have brought his own provisions.

This is not an opportunity for collecting handouts and scrounging but a platform to show case what Ghana has to offer in human relations with America. It is an opportunity to open doors for our other African siblings by blazing the trail for the continent to get the recognition that it deserves in a new world order.
This is not an opportunity to fore-go one more slice of our integrity and sovereignty by selling our souls, but an opportunity to say the words; ‘’what can I do for you or how can I help you or what can we do together’’
I have made no secret of my disappointment a few years ago when Bill and Mrs Clinton visited and all we had to show for our collective National achievements was the projects of our then first lady. It was very belittling to say the least and though she had her heart in the right place, she didn’t sell the name of Ghana with the gusto that it warranted. This time we can do better.
And lest any politician start jumping about in anticipation of political score cards in order to tick their fancy, I beg to differ for this visit is rather going to be a test case so it wont be a honeymoon for complacency.
No doubt an agenda has been set and the nitty-gritty of its details and the diplomatic movements and talks behind the scenes will be for the eyes and ears of the senior members of government alone. But on behalf of my fellow Ghanaians I want to say to the top guns that Barack Obama is coming to Town, please don’t let the side down!

THE PLEASURE IS OURS MR AND MRS OBAMA
We watched with anticipation and later a great sense of pride as the jinx of what ones skin colour is ceased to stand in the way of democracy and unity and for once the journey of our ancestors made sense. Your tenure represents hope to everyone across the globe where race relations, equal rights and justice are concerned and we hope that some of this will rub off on our leaders too.
For a Continent riddled with all the wrong accolades and all that is negative, we see your foray towards our shores as the ultimate mark of friendship and unity towards a joint global work in progress.
No doubt the people of Ghana will make you feel very welcome, just like we did to your predecessors and it will always be home to you anytime you want to come back.