Bloggers living in Africa and members of the African Diaspora across the world have been discussing President Obama’s upcoming trip to Ghana July 10 and 11, much like we have here at By The People.
As was noted in the White House blog, Ghana’s democratic progress is a primary reason why the president is visiting that nation. Obama said in a recent interview that Ghanaian President John Atta Mills “has shown himself committed to the rule of law, to the kinds of democratic commitments that ensure stability in a country.”
Writing for the Web site African Loft, Dr. Chika Onyeani, editor-in-chief of the American publication, African Sun Times, says the selection of Ghana sends a message that “the Obama administration is not willing to tolerate governments that come into power through corrupt and tainted polls dressed as democracy.”
There’s a lot of speculation and excitement ahead of the president’s visit, says Gayle Pescud, a blogger for Global Voices who lives in Ghana. Since Obama’s trip was announced in May, Pescud writes, “from street traders, to young urban professionals, to the newly elected members of parliament, the chatter was all about one thing.”
“Many commentators are suggesting that the choice to visit Ghana first is an explicit endorsement of the nation’s recent peaceful elections and that the USA values peace and democracy above personal affiliations and more powerful nations,” Pescud notes.
Abena, who authors the blog Ramblings of a Procrastinator in Accra, has some concerns about Obama’s visit. For example, the rain. Accra has been hit by heavy rains which have caused flooding and damage and has brought worries that the weather will hinder the president’s travels. “Rain, rain please go away, come back when the Obamas have gone away,” she writes.
Abena also suggests a reason for Obama’s selection of Ghana – the parallels between the nations’ two leaders. Senator Obama, the clear underdog in the 2008 US elections came to power spreading a message of “change” while Professor Mills the clear underdog in the 2008 Ghana elections came to power spreading a message of “change.”
I expect these and other bloggers will have a lot to say about President Obama’s speech in the coming days. I know I will!
After practicing law for a number of years, Michael Jay Friedman returned to school and earned a doctorate in U.S. political and diplomatic history. 
Michelle Austein Brooks is a U.S. government and politics writer who has covered three national elections for America.gov. 
Peggy B. Hu defied Asian-American stereotypes in college by studying comparative literature and international relations rather than math and science. 
Stephen Kaufman is an experienced writer who has covered the White House and the State Department, and continues to report on international and democracy issues, including press freedom. 
Tanya Brothen is a blogging enthusiast who began writing for the web on a whim. Now it’s her job.
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