Obama in Ghana on first sub-Saharan Africa visit

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Obama in Ghana on first sub-Saharan Africa visit



ACCRA (Reuters) – President Barack Obama flew into Ghana on Friday on his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa since taking office as the first African American president of the United States.

His roots in Africa, through his Kenyan father, assure him a hero's welcome and he will deliver a message on the importance of good governance in a country that defies stereotypes of a continent blighted by conflict, coups and crisis.

"Part of the reason that we're traveling to Ghana is because you've got there a functioning democracy, a president who's serious about reducing corruption, and you've seen significant economic growth," Obama said before leaving Italy for Ghana.

Ghana's President John Atta Mills, due to meet Obama on Saturday, was elected in a peaceful, transparent vote last December.

Economic reforms in the cocoa and gold producing country, set to begin pumping oil next year, also helped bring unprecedented investment and growth before the impact of the global financial crisis.

Thousands of Ghanaians packed the dark streets around the airport, hoping for a glimpse of Obama.

"It's a great moment for Ghana and Africa. We have to celebrate our own," said driver Emmanuel Tsawe, who covered his 43-seater bus with Obama posters.

"I believe he has good intentions for the continent and we must cooperate with him," he said.

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090710/pl_nm/us_obama_africa