The American First Lady, Mrs Melania Trump, arrived in the Accra yesterday, to begin her four-nation African tour.
The Boeing 757 Presidential Jet carrying her touched down at the Kotoka International Airport at about 10am.
She stood at the top of the airplane stairs, smiled broadly and waved enthusiastically at waiting dignitaries, including Ghana’s First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, who were there to welcome her.
When she descended the stairs, red carpet was rolled out and Ghana’s first lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, greeted her American counterpart.
Exchange of gifts
The first ladies exchanged gifts – a White House tray in a signed leather case for Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo and kente cloth and artifacts for Mrs. Trump.
Thereafter, Mrs. Trump was treated to a full blast of rich Ghanaian cultural performances by the Nananom Dance Ensemble as school children waved miniature Ghanaian and American flags.
Mrs. Trump clapped her hands and waved at a group of school children waiting for her at the airport.
From the airport, Mrs. Trump moved to the Greater Accra Regional Hospital where she shared teddy bears and blankets branded with her “Be Best” slogan, which she has chosen as the theme of her work as first lady.
As the American first lady helped pass out blankets and bears, she picked up a baby and made faces at him, to the delight of the assembled mothers and hospital officials.
“Congratulations,” Mrs. Trump told one mother breastfeeding her child as she handed her a blanket.
While at the hospital, Mrs. Trump also watched a six-month-old baby boy get weighed as part of a wellness check describing him as “healthy boy.”
Mrs. Beatrice Poku Mens, a mother, who had brought her six-month baby boy for weighing could not hide her excitement seeing the American First Lady carry the baby on her arms and play with the boy.
She said it was a day to be remembered and “I am going to tell my son about this day, when he grows up”.
The American First Lady also visited the neonatal intensive care unit in a new wing of the hospital where babies with challenges receive care.
Mrs. Trump’s visit to the hospital is part of a project aimed at promoting nutrition in children, which is supported by funding from the US government’s foreign aid organisation, USAID.
The two first ladies hold talks
When she was done at the hospital, Mrs. Trump held discussions with Mrs. Akufo-Addo over tea at the Jubilee House, Ghana’s presidential palace.
Mrs. Trump will undertake a number of activities in Ghana.
Mrs. Trump visits Cape Coast Castle today
She is expected to travel to the Cape Coast Castle, whilst in Ghana and this is likely to give impetus to the West African country’s tourism development drive.
The American First Lady’s African tour would take her Malawi, Kenya and Egypt.
Trip to reduce tensions over husband’s comments about Africa
In February, a row broke out after President Donald Trump allegedly used “shithole” to describe African nations.
Mrs. Trump’s week-long trip to the continent is seen as move to quell the anger of the continent’s people who feel very strongly about Mr. Trump’s comments.
Source: The Finder
