Obama Ends Ghana Visit With Trip to Former Slave Center

By VOA News 11 July 2009

President Barack Obama, Speaker of Parliament Joyce Bamford-Addo, left, greet crowd following address, 11 Jul 2009

U.S. President Barack Obama has wrapped up his visit to the West African nation of Ghana with a tour of a former slave center from which thousands of Africans once were shipped off to America.

The president and his family on Saturday toured Cape Coast Castle, an ocean-front fortress that was converted to the slave trade by the British in the 17th century.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Mr. Obama said the tour reminded him of a visit to a German World War II concentration camp. He said both experiences reminded him of man's capacity for evil. He said it was particularly important for his daughters to see the slave center and witness how history can take cruel turns.

Earlier Saturday, President Obama outlined his administration's policy for Africa during a speech in Accra to Ghana's parliament.

Mr. Obama's visit to Ghana was his last scheduled stop on a nearly week-long overseas trip.

In his speech to Ghana's parliament, Mr. Obama said democracy, opportunity, health and the resolution of conflict are the keys to the future of Africa and the developing world.

The president said his administration has committed $63 billion for health initiatives in Africa to fight malaria, polio, tuberculosis and AIDS.

The president also had strong words about conflict on the continent, calling it the millstone around Africa's neck. He said opposing someone who belongs to a different tribe or who worships a different prophet has no place in the 21st century.

Repeating a theme he struck earlier, he said Africa is not a world apart, but is a fundamental part of an interconnected world.

Mr. Obama's landmark visit to Ghana is his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa since becoming the first African-American president. He said he chose Ghana because of its "functioning democracy" and its president, John Atta Mills, who Mr. Obama said is "serious about reducing corruption."

The U.S. president's late father was from Kenya.

Click here to see slideshow of President Obama's visit to Ghana

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.