Put Legon On Obama’s Itinerary

The first black man to be the president of the United States (US), President Barrack Hussein Obama (Obama) of Kenyan paternal descent would make a historic visit to Ghana on Friday July 10 and leave the following Saturday July 11, 2009. While in the country, Obama would hold bilateral talks with his counterpart, Professor John Fiifi Atta-Mills (Agya Atta) and possibly a visit to the Cape Coast/Elmina Castle. It’s believed that Obama’s visit was to strengthen Ghana/US relations.

Conspicuously missing from Obama’s itinerary is a speech at or visit to the University of Ghana, Legon (Legon). This is the pride of Ghana, the premier university of the country. How far could we push pride if the pride of the black nation is visiting the pride of Africa and Legon is not on his agenda? Obama’s visit is historic in nature in the sense that he chose Ghana, the first African country south of the Sahara to gain independence from colonial rule, among the various competing African states, to make his contact with black people outside the US. He chose Cairo University to make a statement to the Muslim world, why would he not do same with the black nation at Legon?

Obama is noted for his brilliance and eloquence. He challenges, admonishes, motivates, provokes and dabbles in controversy. These are the landmarks of university education. What better platform in Ghana would be available to him to exhibit these traits than a university setting? Apart from politicians and diplomats, very few Ghanaians, if any, would get much from his visit.

Speaking to a general population, as he would do probably at either the Independence Square or the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium, is not as challenging as to that of a specific population. Thus for Ghanaians to “squeeze” some knowledge from his brilliance, we have to give him the right population – university students - for him to give them something to think about. Obama himself is an inspiration to all and sundry. If we want to inspire and motivate our students to aspire to higher levels, what prevents us from bringing him to them on the Campus? Let us make history by adding history to historical events to create history for our students of history. One of the history-making events from Obama’s visit would be a short but thought-provoking and inspiring speech at Legon.

Our leaders should look beyond what America wants for Obama while he is in Ghana and put to him what Ghanaian students prefer to gain from his visit. Some of the time for the bi-lateral talks should be allocated to “perpendicular-talks”. Give the present generation of Ghanaian students the chance of a life time to listen to, touch, shake hands and take pictures with Obama in their own backyard. The students should have something to show to their children and grandchildren. Legon should have something for its archives/library. A visitor to the vice-chancellor’s (VC) office should see a picture of Obama and VC Tagoe interacting with some of his senior/teaching staff.

It is gradually developing into a norm that every American president would visit Ghana. This is verifiable from the fact that since 1998 when President William Jefferson Clinton became the first US head of state to come to Ghana, his successors had followed suite. Our leaders would have to find other means to utilize these visits to reap the maximum benefits that could be accrued from it. It is not just enough for them to come, talk to our leaders and leave. They should be made to see and sell Ghana as a potential tourist attraction. This could be done by exposing them to other parts of the country – the northern sector: Kumasi, Sunyani, Tamale, Bolga and Wa. Do we know the number of people who would visit the Paga Crocodile Pond if Obama was shown playing or interacting with one of them? Let us start with Obama taking on Legon .

Obama mania is business in its own right. Retailers/Hawkers of various Obama paraphernalia would have a field day (won kookoo aso). Obama’s visit to Legon would be good publicity for the University – value added to credentials. One of the best ways to sell any product (good/bad) is extensive exposure. That is why corporations spend millions of dollars on advertisements. Legon would not have to spend a pesewa since a mere mention of the visit would be more than enough. We need to take full advantage of Obama’s visit to show how good we are as business men/women.

One would not want to hear the lame excuse that because of security concerns Obama could not go to Legon. If he had found it convenient to visit Ghana, then he must as well be prepared to go to any place in the country including Legon - since it is also part of Ghana. Some one hour stay at Legon would not kill him. Ghanaian students also deserve something better. Somebody should “cut short” di di-ings and nono-mings and let Ghanaian students also enjoy something”small”. Students from Tarkwa-Legon, Winneba-Legon, Cape Coast-Legon and all the Legons in Accra should be invited. The event should take place at Legon to make the necessary impact.

Fortunately, Ghana’s president, Agya Atta, is a product of the institution and even lectured at its Law Faculty. He could have not made Legon more proud. Please, let us “pond” Obama at Legon! OPANIN KWABENA MENSAH