A Preview of President Obama's Visit to Ghana

The Presidental entourage will arrive in Ghana at week's end. In preparation for his arrival, POTUS gave an interview to AllAfrica.com.

In the transcript of these videos, President Obama again presents himself as the no-nonsense, pragmatic and very well-informed statesman. The White House has openly admitted that POTUS is in Ghana, to highlight one of the more stable countries on the African continent.

Obama Talks to AllAfrica at the White House - Part 1

Obama Talks to All Africa at the White House - Part 2

Praising Ghana, the president calmly criticizes a lack of political reconciliation in Kenya, one that allows the country to move forward on behalf of its citizens. In words that cause many African Americans ambivalence, President Obama addresses the history of the continent, within a contemporary reality:

I would say that the international community has not always been as strategic as it should have been, but ultimately I'm a big believer that Africans are responsible for Africa.

I think part of what's hampered advancement in Africa is that for many years we've made excuses about corruption or poor governance; that this was somehow the consequence of neo-colonialism, or the West has been oppressive, or racism. I'm not a believer in excuses.

I'd say I'm probably as knowledgeable about African history as anybody who's occupied my office. And I can give you chapter and verse on why the colonial maps that were drawn helped to spur on conflict, and the terms of trade that were uneven emerging out of colonialism.

And yet the fact is we're in 2009. The West and the United States has not been responsible for what's happened to Zimbabwe's economy over the last 15 or 20 years. It hasn't been responsible for some of the disastrous policies that we've seen elsewhere in Africa. I think that it's very important for African leadership to take responsibility and be held accountable.

Ghana Slave Dungeon

Pondering the enormity of events at Cape Coast Castle via Flockr's bdinphoenixWhile in Ghana next weekend, the Obama family will visit Cape Coast Castle, a museum once a primary hand off point for the African slave trade. This effective video prepares us for what the Obamas will see at Cape Coast Castle, the extraordinary history of a "crime against ourselves. "

One element of the video rarely discussed is the participation of warring African tribal chieftans in the exportation and advancement of the slave trade.

Ghana News writes that although music is the most widely practiced art in the country, there's currently no plan for the president to show off his dancing skills. A

Update on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:05AM by Editor

Nina Simone: Strange Fruit by Brain Salter on YouTube