Obama Departs Ghana For Trip Home To United States

ACCRA, Ghana — President Barack Obama is headed home after a brief but whirlwind visit to Ghana.

Before departing, Obama addressed Ghanaians at the airport in the capital of Accra. He said the trip was especially meaningful for him because of his African heritage. He congratulated Ghana for its democratic traditions and promised to never forget the image of his young daughters walking through a 17th century slave fortress on the country's coast.

Obama said the message Ghana sends to the rest of the world every day is that democracy can thrive in Africa.

He was expected to land in Washington early Sunday morning.

Comments

[ArcEnCiel]

Obama's speech was flawed, after bowing to the saudis who behead people every Friday, and praising Mubarak in Cairo who is anything but a democrat, it was painful to watch him lecture africans. After all, all the "strong men" in power in Africa have western backing aside Mugabe who has recently fallen out of grace and Al Bashir of Sudan and just maybe,the Eritrean president. It is also untrue that most african countries have been indepent for more than half a century. Who toppled Lumumba? Who ever did it is responsible for the boodshed in the African great lake region. Obama apologise every where but in Africa and to Africans; makes one wonder...

Why do we have to send aid to africans? Why can't we just trade with them if we really care about them?

[burt2009]

Darn, just when we thought we were safe, Obama is coming back.

[Decipherer]

OK, so now be a good boy and climb back under your rock and stay there.

And keep you mouth shut.

[Okieborn]

Mr. President !!
Now when you get back state side you can begin getting rid of the corruption and tyranny right here in America !!!

[Decipherer]

He will not be able to do it alone. He needs our help. That's a big part of what the campaign was all about.

We are all in this together, and we can't expect the government to solve all our problems for us while we remain passive.

I'm fairly aware of some of the corruption to which you referred, but where's the "tyranny" you are talking about?

[OneLiberalLady]

The "tyranny" ....might it be the tragedy of having to pay taxes to support the country? It's so unfair :-)

[DBtv]

Ridding th tyranny of ignorance like yours is a big task.

[ywcachieve]

Okieborn...you and all Americans have to help.. The president cannot do it alone.

[ElsaIndy]

Obama may regret not staying in Ghana where he is so beloved because when he gets home, he will have to show some leadership. He may actually have to enunciate some principles in healthcare so a coherent policy can be formed. Without healthcare reform our economy will never recover. This means he has to show some leadership.

When he runs for re-election unemployment may well be 12 %. Enough of these useless trips. Obama needs to get to work if he wants to be re-elected.

[JustSteve]

So you missed the parts of the trip where he worked through treaty issues with Russia and participated in the G-8?

The issues of Africa, by the way, ARE a piece of the puzzle when talking about economic issues. Imagine a rising Africa require more manufactured goods and assistance in the continued development of their own economic engine. Developing these sorts of friendships is at least, in part, about opening emerging markets. I'm sure John Deere would love to sell millions of dollars of equipment there.

[dawn2dusk]

no billions of dollars

[lioness39]

These 'useless trips' are repairing our image in the world that Gawg Boosh destroyed.

[DBtv]

I love how international diplomacy is "useless" in the eyes of xenophobic, obstructionist, idea-less, short sighted republick sycophants. This kind of ignorance on the part of the previous administration has made our country the most hated in the world. Thank heaven we have a new leader the world can begin to trust and co-operate with again.

[Decipherer]

This dolt was just channeling John Bolton. No biggie.

[OneLiberalLady]

"Useless" as in helping to provide a more secure world? It's nice to have a pres who can walk and chew gum at the same time, and who plans for the future.

[repugnicansfearme]

T. Boone Pickens should not have a blog on HuffPost. His despicable and reprehensible actions supporting the "Swift Boating" of John Kerry, among other ultra-right wing support he provides, should negate his appearing on this site.

[Decipherer]

Not sure how germaine to this discussion your comment is, but you make a good point. Anything coming out of Pickens's mouth is all about Pickens, and that means it's all about how he can make more money.

All that nonsense a year ago about wind, solar, and biomass energy being deployed to solve our energy problems?

Total and utter bulls**t.

It is all about Pickens getting his hands on more Texas land which is loaded with natural gas (a fossil fuel, his favorite fuel for everything) and water, an increasingly scare resource out there and one which he also hopes to control.

T. Boone Pickens is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Do not be deceived.

[OneLiberalLady]

That is a really interesting perspective. Thanks. (Now we're really OT!)

[Aubreyautumn]

I absolutely abhor Bush, but the next commenter who starts out with, "Nice to have a President who . . ."

I get it. He's more intelligent, and carries himself better than Bush. I too voted for Obama, and am glad to see him carry himself well overseas. I only write this because every time I go to a story about Obama, someone invariably begins a comment with that tired phrase.

I'm surprised some of these commenters don't get sued for plagiarism. Lol!

[lcdbsez]

aubrey --

If you want witty reparte, read the New Yorker -- this is HuffPo.

[Decipherer]

repartee

[majordomo2]

There are far more important things to think about than the literary skills of posters. The thrill of finally having an intelligent president who actually knows how to use his power to rebuild our country and restore its place in the world leaves people lost for words. You should be a bit more accepting.

[VOTER]

When did you begin to find the TRUTH tiresome?

[trubluelefty]

I read huff po because of the comments.........

[Decipherer]

Is that like reading "Playboy" for the articles? Just askin'.

[OneLiberalLady]

I'll have to go check your prior comments for the wit factor. And you misused the word "plagiarism." The comment by LCDBSEZ directing you to read the New Yorker if you want great writing is well-taken; the current issue ( a double issue at that) provides some great reading.
It's nice to have posters who are well -read .

[confidance government]

Obama, delivering another international sermon in Ghana, saying “No business wants to invest in a place where the government skims 20 percent off the top”. Only 20%? Who knew that Africa had such low tax rates?

with rich mineral resources such as gold, diamonds, manganese, limestone, bauxite, iron ore as well as various clays and granite deposits, it seems Like President Obama is looking to drub up some foreign investment for their country.

[Ben6768]

Obama cannot preach with his example. In the U.S., Government Sachs, the Health Insurance Mafias, AIG and the likes skim off at least 20% of the nations resources and wealth, and its LEGAL.

Ghana, teach us about clean government because we are more corrupt than you are.

[Decipherer]

Since when did taxation become illegal?

As for the other examples of "skimming" you are talking about, I'd like to see some proof, if you don't mind, before lighting my torch and grabbing my pitchfork, OK?

[DBtv]

The "vainly grasping at straws by the ideologically drowning" tour continues.

[Decipherer]

Sounds like Sarah Palin's "Magical Mystery Tour," no?

[confidance government]

Nah seriously, they are 6th best in all of Africa for corruption, and the most corruption free country in western Africa (not saying much, but still its a selling point). I am just saying, I think that remark inadvertently did some serious advertising for business wanting to invest in Ghana.

[tisfilm]

Bush visit in Ghana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvxKZRf8k2k

[RJII]

nice to have a presient who doesn't look out of place in warmer climate countries. God bless our president. Glad the first family is home safe and sound.

[water57]

I see there is a lot of jealously about our president. Because the republicans have been over come with sorrow over quitter, who prefers to walk around bare foot in the snow, and spitting out tobacco.

[hapiday]

"So he could be replaced by the super duper Moose Woman and her Magic BeeHive. ?"

Oh my goodness, "Magic Beehive", LMAO!

[hapiday]

"He was expected to land in Washington early Sunday morning."

The article should read he is expected to land in Washington early Sunday morning. Is the president not landing on Sunday morning?

[macbabe]

NTKB? .. what does it matter??

LOVE all the pics, seems they had quality family time together as well.

[water57]

Unlike Palin ever expanding family.

[Dustee]

That caught my attention too.

[water57]

Do any of those republican notice how the Obamas are effectively demonstrating family values with out bullhorn.

[IndieBlue]

Between Sanford and Ensign, we will hopefully be spared the "family values" hypocrisy for at least a few months.

[solopico]

There's a new hypocrisy going around - telling Americans that everyone has to have "skin in the game" while carrying $1000 purses and wearing $600 shoes, and flying to NYC from DC for a "date" at an expense of approximately $24K to the taxpayer.

[ECB]

Why do Repubs. hate America ?

[PlantGod72]

They just HATE, period. Whatever's convenient will do.

[Crissy Patters]

The Obamas once again made me proud!! I hope POTUS take off a couple of days and rest before he starts going top speed.

Prayng for them to have a safe travel back home:)

[jazzycafe]

Agreed. Safe travels home President Obama. :)

[JFaye]

Ditto

[frixx]

God Bless. They are always in my prayers, for them and this country and all who serve it.

My father was a veteran from WWII. We should all love this country. Read history. Teach it. Our inheritance is incalculable. But easily lost if not vigilant.