Obama Arrives in Ghana

U.S. President Barack Obama is in Ghana, on his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president.

The U.S. president was welcomed to the West African country late Friday by Ghanaian President John Atta Mills, along with hundreds of dignitaries and traditional drummers and dancers.

Mr. Obama says he chose Ghana as his first destination in the region because of what he considers to be its strong democratic system.

The Ghanaian capital, Accra, is strung with American and Ghanaian flags and many Ghanaians took to the streets Friday to celebrate the visit.

President Obama gives a speech in Accra Saturday in which he is expected to outline his administration's policy for Africa.

He will also meet Saturday with President Mills and former Ghanaian leaders John Kufuor and Jerry Rawlings.

Later in the day, he will tour a former slave trading center, Cape Coast Castle, where African slaves were shipped across the Atlantic for almost 300 years.

Ghanaian authorities say 10,000 police officers are providing security for the visit.

Huge billboards can be seen across Accra, featuring the images of President Mills and President Obama with the caption "Partnership for Change" and the phrase "Akwaaba," which means "Welcome home" in the local Akan language.

Mr. Obama's father was from Kenya. President Mills says many people in Ghana and neighboring countries want to see President Obama because they regard him as a hero.

President Mills took office in January after a narrow election victory that saw the ruling party concede defeat peacefully.

In an interview with VOA, the Ghanaian leader said he believes President Obama wants to highlight Ghana's peaceful transition of power and democratic credentials as an example for Africa.