Following President Obama’s speech in Ghana, bloggers in Africa had a lot to say about it.
Ato Kwamena Dadzie says “It was a brilliant and sensible speech in which [Obama] essentially told African leaders to wise up and stop the stupid things that hold us back. I hope they listened.”
Gameli Adzaho says the speech is an indication that relations between Africa and the United States will strengthen in the years to come. “What the continent’s leaders need to do is to strategically churn out homegrown solutions to the continents problems and take full advantage of programs put forth by the Obama leadership.”
Mac-Jordan says Obama’s visit to Ghana, “the first country in Africa, south of the Sahara to win an independence from the colonial masters is a great tribute to freedom fighters all over the world.”
Sarpong Obed, got a bit frustrated by all the road closures in Accra while President Obama was in town. As one who has grown up in Washington, D.C. and is used to traffic jams caused by political officials’ travels, I can relate.
Obed paid close attention to Obama’s statement to young people and how they control the future. “For me, we’re all too good at saying that the youth are the future leaders of this country. Without doing much to help realise this great statement, it’s almost useless to mention this. Barack has seen it and he’s a great man. We the youth have on several occasions demonstrated that we can make things happen for us by any means necessary.”
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.
Comments (8)
Sani Mohammed
Location: Accra. Ghana
July 13, 2009 at 06:28 EDT
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hero Obama’s visit is a blessing to Ghana being the first African nation to be visited by the new US president Barack Obama. Prez Obama’s speech is real message from God to Ghanaians and Africans for its inspiration. Our leaders should give a good ear to this and put the advices into practice towards the development of our own country using our natural resources. From his speech, he stated clearly to us that “the future of Africa is within Africans” this he urged by our concious of time and effort. Ghana’s future can be attained if our leaders could tap the talents and natural resources of the youth of the country. Many Ghanaians are out there who have the nation’s development at heart, but due to unjust political judgements, these people’s dreams are thrown into the sea. Also, immature politics should be discouraged, since the lives of the people of the country Ghana matters most, lets concentrate on national development taking into consideration the lives of those Ghanaians in rural communities who have no access to food, water, electricity, education and health care. The country should support people with good dreams for the nation into a reality, for this shall help us develop our natural resources. God bless Ghana, God bless Africa, God bless the entire world……….May we live to see a better development for Ghana and Africa as a whole………………Thank you.
uugobest
Location: Nigeria
July 13, 2009 at 10:08 EDT
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I am not happy for obama to visit ghana instade of nigeria as the head of africa obama should know better about nigeria and what happing in nigeria damocracy
uugobest @ http://www.thewebcash.blogspot.com
all4naija
Location: Nigeria
July 13, 2009 at 14:49 EDT
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I profoundly agree with the reasons why Ghana was chosen among many African nations for the wonderful United States of America president visit.Ghana as a nation as proven that it’s posible for any African nation that is willing to be civilized to elect its leaders through free and fair transition process. Not only that, that good leadership can be a way to acheive a better atmosphere for the economy to be a thing of success.
This will go a long way to support the voices of the common people in the continent which are unheard, most especially, my country of Nigeria. A country where some think the position of leadership is their family birthright while throwing merit out of the spotlight. I am a bit sad for my country with all its resources yet lacked beyond reasonable mind not to allow fair governance to trive peacefully in the past and even now.
Now Africa don’t have any reason, whatsoever, to say that the developed nations are unfair with the idea of double standard to force others to accept democracy. Screwdness we have seen in president Obama from his background has shown this. And, such background better explained the nature of a leader, to be humble after knowing what life is like through service.
For those who are so bitterly down expressing themselves for the president not visiting the most powerful countries in Africa first are more to me myopic to these very reasons of his visit.
Gabriel E. Tamakloe
Location: ghana-obuasi
July 13, 2009 at 17:20 EDT
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this is what Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was saying 50yrs ago that Africa have their own destiny in their hands.but i was touched when he talked about the youth who are the future leaders and that they should probably look up to him as a role model and that YES THEY CAN also.
Gameli
Location: Accra, Ghana
July 14, 2009 at 05:33 EDT
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Very “shockprised” you mentioned my blog, thanks.
Africa’s young people can certainly do it. What they need is the opportunity for self-development through higher education and mentorship. They must also be given responsibilities in order to contribute their quota to the continent’s emerging growth. Inspiration from people like President Obama will go a long way to spur them on. YES, AFRICAN YOUTH CAN!
Mac-Jordan
Location: East Legon, Accra. Ghana
July 14, 2009 at 15:13 EDT
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I am glad and at the same time shocked, I got mentioned on this website. Ghana blogging is going places and I am happy about that..
African Youth; Yes - We Can
Michelle Austein Brooks
America.gov Staff
July 15, 2009 at 08:36 EDT
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Looking at the blogs in Ghana, I was really impressed by the depth of online conversations. There’s a lot of interesting discussions going on!
Edward Amartey-Tagoe
Location: Accra, Ghana
July 17, 2009 at 07:25 EDT
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Obama’s visit to Ghana has gave hope to all Ghanaians especially the youth. He left a country that was determined to get back on track and redeem it image on the African continent.