In our series of weekly viewpoints from African journalists, Elizabeth Ohene, a former government minister in Ghana and former BBC journalist, looks forward to US President Barack Obama's visit to her country:

We in Ghana are going to have our "Obama Moment" later this week.

Forget that talk about Ghana being the second country in Africa President Obama is visiting. We know better.



That Egypt stopover does not count as a trip to Africa. He did not go there with his wife; he is coming here with Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha.

And he will be going to Cape Coast, which has been given a well-deserved makeover.

He did not sleep in Cairo and it was obvious he was using the city only as a backdrop to make a speech to the Arab world.

True, he is making a big speech here in our parliament aimed at Africa, but this is different.

He is coming to Ghana because, to borrow the words of his spokesperson: "Ghana is a truly admirable example of a place where governance is getting stronger, a thriving democracy."

Their words, not mine.
Jealous pride
We are the envy of the whole continent and as for our cousins the Nigerians, this is the ultimate humiliation.

They will never be able to live this one down.


Then there is Kenya and I ought to tread gently for there might be some raw emotions here, since there are blood claims.

So we sympathise with our Kenyan brothers and sisters, but as the White House sees it, Kenya, like Nigeria simply doesn't make the good governance grade.

The trip to Ghana is intentional. It is worth quoting The White House on Ghana again:

"An extraordinarily close election, decided ultimately by about 40,000 votes, the country remained peaceful, power was transferred peacefully, and they continue to pursue a development agenda and bolster the rule of law."

The Americans probably are aware many in Africa have wondered aloud that a sitting government could not find 40,000 votes to stay in power.

With such enthusiastic endorsement, it is not surprising that the government here is over the moon and is milking the Obama magic for all it is worth.

The promotions by the Ministry of Information and the Office of the President seek to portray the new Ghana government as being on the same wavelength as the new United States government, both led incidentally by law professors.

Big party
It is a bit tricky trying to liken the charismatic and erudite 47-year-old wordsmith world leader Mr Obama to the halting 64-year-old John Atta Mills, taunted as "dull" by his mentor, ex-President Jerry Rawlings.

 Continued    Source: BBC News - BBC News