The First Lady of the United States of America, Melania Trump, on Wednesday, paid a courtesy call on Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, the Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional Area, ahead of her visit to the Cape Coast Castle.
The short, but colourful ceremony, took place at the Obama Hall of the
Emintsimadze Palace, in Cape Coast, named after the former President of the United States, after his visit to the Palace.
Mrs Trump arrived in Ghana, on Tuesday, the first stop of her four-nation African tour, as part of her ‘Be Best’ Campaign.
Osabarima Kwesi Atta, who is also the President of the Oguaa Traditional Council, and his entourage, clad in full traditional regalia, with colourful Kente cloths, were seated as early as 0600 hours at the Palace to receive their august guest.
The mood before the arrival of the First Lady and her entourage was euphoric, as the Apamkro Cultural Troupe from the University of Cape Coast Primary School waited patiently to welcome the First Lady with their mmensuon (flute) performance.
Seven-year-old Afia Boakye- Yiadom, a class two pupil of the School, also waited anxiously, to present a bouquet of flowers to the First Lady.
There was, therefore, full excitement when First Lady Melania Trump, arrived at the Palace at about 0930 hours to the melodious flute performance.
She was then welcomed by Mr Kwamena Duncan, Central Regional Minister, after which Ms Boakye-Yiadom presented her with the beautiful bouquet.
Mr Duncan then ushered her into the hall to greet Osabarima Kwesi Atta and his chiefs. Amidst smiles and grins, she was formally introduced her to the Omanhene.
Osabarima Kwesi Atta welcomed her warmly to ancient city, and to his Palace, and then briefed her on the history and contemporary issues of the Region and its people.
He expressed joy at her visit, saying it would help to draw the people of Ghana and the United States closer.
He also noted that the First Lady’s visit to the Cape Coast Castle, which was a source of tourism drive for the Region, would position her face to face with the history of the slave trade.
He said he was, however, happy that tragedy had ended and peoples across the world were trying to get close to each other through visits like her’s.
He urged her to make Cape Coast a city of focus for her Be Best Campaign, when it was rolled out in Ghana.
The American First Lady thanked her hosts for the warm welcome she had received; describing her hosts ‘as beautiful and warm people’.
She said she was happy to be at the Palace and to see to the Cape Coast Castle.
“…I am sure it will be emotional,” she said.
Mr Kwamena Duncan said Ghana was honoured with the high-profile visit, saying it would deepen the ties between the two countries.
He stated that those who attended the ceremony would leave with sweet memories of the visit from the warm interactions, which they would cherish for the rest of their lives.
After the Omanhene presented gifts to his guest and her staff, she proceeded to the Cape Coast Castle for a private visit.
The Emintsimadze Palace was decked in Ghana and US flags, with a banner carrying a picture of American First Lady and the inscription, ‘Akwaaba to Cape Coast H.E. Melania Trump’.
The US team earlier presented drinks to the chiefs to symbolically ask for their permission for the visit.
Among dignitaries present were Ms. Sharon Cromer, USAID Ghana Mission Director and Nana Ekua Nyaniba I, the Queenmother of the Oguaa Traditional Area.
Ghana’s First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, received Mrs Trump when she arrived in Accra yesterday.
She toured the Greater Accra Regional Hospital in Accra, where she highlighted her interest in child welfare, and distributed gifts of teddy bears wrapped in baby blankets with her Be Best slogan, which she had chosen as the theme of her work as a first lady.
Mrs Trump’s trip would focus on maternal and newborn care in hospitals, education for children, the deep culture and history woven into each African country, and how the United States is supporting each country on its journey to self-reliance.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo later held closed door discussions with Mrs Trump at the Presidential Palace, in the Jubilee House.
Mrs Trump is expected to leave Ghana, on Thursday, October 4, to Malawi, after which she is expected to tour Kenya and Egypt.
Source: GNA
