Welcome Home, Obama
American President Barack Obama last night reconnected with his African roots when he stepped out of Air Force One at the Kotoka International Airport to begin a two-day state visit to Ghana.
Ahead of the trip, President Obama had explained that his choice of Ghana for his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa, since becoming President, primarily hinged on the country's remarkable democratic credentials.
Ghana is the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain political independence from colonial rule in 1957.
With the trip, Africans across the continent and, indeed, the whole world, are focused on Accra where this morning, President Obama is expected to deliver a major speech outlining his administration's policy on Africa.
Accompanying the 44th American President to Accra were his wife, Michelle, and two daughters, Sasha and Malia, as well as some senior US trade and diplomatic officials.
They were welcomed to a red-carpet reception on the tarmac at the Kotoka International Airport, at exactly 9.20 p.m. amid spectacular Ghanaian cultural performances, drumming, dancing and tight security.
The reception team was led by the President of Ghana, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, and his wife, Naadu, the Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama and his wife, Lordina, ministers of state, Members of Parliament, senior government officials, service commanders, officials from the US Embassy in Accra, members of the diplomatic corps leaders of political parties and other dignitaries.
After taking time to share some words with each member of the host delegation, President Obama extended the greetings beyond the official protocol and invited his family to join the 50-member Ghana Dance Ensemble to dance to some “Obonu” music.
President Obama then left in “The Beast”, the official car of the US President, to take some rest before today's programmes.
By today's programme, President Obama will attend a breakfast meeting this morning to be hosted by President Atta Mills at the Castle, Osu.
The meeting is expected to be attended by about 300 guests, including former Presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor.
After the breakfast, the two presidents are expected to hold bilateral talks at the Castle after which Mr Obama and his wife will visit the La General Hospital.
From the La General Hospital, Mr Obama will proceed to the Accra International Conference Centre where he is expected to deliver his statement on Africa to Members of the Ghana Parliament.
Also in attendance will be specially invited guests and the international media to beam the speech live across the world.
He will thereafter depart Accra for Cape Coast where he will visit the palace of the Oguaa Omanhen, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, who will sit in state with his sub-chiefs.
The Oguaa chiefs are expected to honour Mrs Obama with the title of a queen at the ceremony. Mr Obama and his family will also visit the Cape Coast Castle before flying back to Accra for their departure home.