It's a moving experience

Pages 14/15: Daily Graphic, July 13, 2009.
Story: Albert K. Salia, Cape Coast.
PRESIDENT Barack Husein Obama has described his tour of the Cape Coast Castle as “a moving experience, a moving moment” and commended those who organised the tour and Ghanaians for preserving that history.
“As painful as it is, I think that it helps to teach all of us that we have to do what we can to fight against the kinds of evils that, sadly, still exist in our world, not just on this continent but in every corner of the globe,” he said.
In a three-minute remark to the press corps at the castle after the tour, President Obama said the castle should be a source of hope as well as repository of painful memories, stressing that, “It reminds us that as bad as history can be, it's always possible to overcome.”
He said the tour was particularly important for his two daughters, Malia and Sasha, who were growing up in such a blessed way, to be reminded that history could take very cruel turns.
The US President was, however, hopeful that one of the things that were imparted to the children during the trip to Ghana, “is their sense of obligation to fight oppression and cruelty wherever it appears, and that any group of people who are degrading another group of people have to be fought against with whatever tools we have available to us.”
He said the extraordinary tour of the castle, was reminiscent of the trip he took to Buchenwald, because it reminded them of the ability of human beings to commit great evil.
“One of the most striking things that I heard was that right above the dungeons in which male captives were kept was a church, and that reminds us that sometimes we can tolerate and stand by great evil even as we think that we're doing good,” he lamented.
Mr Obama said as Americans, and as African Americans, obviously there was a special sense that on one hand, the castle was a place of profound sadness while on the other hand, it was the beginning of journey of experience for most African American .
“And symbolically, to be able to come back with my family, with Michelle and our children, and see the portal through which the Diaspora began, but also to be able to come back here in celebration with the people of Ghana of the extraordinary progress that we've made because of the courage of so many, black and white, to abolish slavery and ultimately win civil rights for all people, I think is a source of hope. It reminds us that as bad as history can be, it's also possible to overcome,” he stated.
Led by Mr Fritz Baffour, Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, President Obama, his wife Michelle, their daughters and the first lady's mother, Marian Robinson and the godmother of the children, Mama Kay, toured the grounds as a festive crowd of thousands milled outside, pounding drums and dancing in the streets.
People crowded outside the castle to greet Mr Obama, with others climbing onto nearby roofs, vehicle tops and balconies just to catch a glimpse of the US leader.
President Obama also unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit to the Cape Coast Castle.
Michelle Obama is the great-great granddaughter of African slaves.
Mr Obama smiled and waved at the crowd as he beat protocol arrangement to come outside after the tour, before disappearing with his family and entourage for Accra.
Earlier, the Omanhen of the Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta had bestowed on the first couple of the USA the titles, Okukurdofo Kofi Obiekwan and Obatan Efua Nyamekye and also offered land to Mr Obama to develop anytime he desired.
The traditional leader also named the street in front of the Castle, Obama Street while the University of Cape Coast honoured the couple with honorary doctorate degrees although they could not be presented with the honours.
Speaking to journalists after President Obama had left, the Central Regional Minister, Ms Ama Benyiwa Doe, described the tour as a boost to the region.
“As a regional minister, I feel a high sense of contentment for the successful hosting of President Obama in Cape Coast. We were given a responsibility and we delivered,” he said.
She said she was particularly happy that God heard the prayers of the people and restrained the rains for period that Mr Obama was in Cape Coast and allowed people to come out in their numbers to watch and celebrate the historic visit.
Ms Benyiwa-Doe was hopeful that the region would benefit greatly from the visit in terms of tourism
She said the people the world over would want to come visit where President Obama visited ,moreso, when the whites thrive on history.