The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) describes the historic visit of President Barack Obama as the recognition of the culminative achievements in the area of democratic consolidation.
The party said after a successful second transition, from one political party in government to another, Ghana had become the toast of the world, hence the decision of President Obama to visit and interact with the people of Ghana.
Sharing the party’s perspective on the visit, the General Secretary, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, said President Obama’s visit would not mean anything to Ghanaians “if we do not work hard as a nation.”
He said apart from what the US President might offer the country, the international media spotlight from over 300 international media houses would be a good opportunity to market the country for both investment and tourism prospects.
He, however, said although a lot of benefits could accrue from the visit for Ghana, “this opportunity also calls on Ghanaians to exhibit its rich cultural heritage and its proverbial hospitality.”
“At the end of the day, our individual hard work is what would make us achieve the targets we set for ourselves,” he added.
(2) CONVENTION PEOPLE’S PARTY (CPP)
US President Barack Obama’s visit to Ghana is an opportunity to strengthen democratic ideals between the two nations.
According to the Convention People’s Party (CPP) just as President Obama has something to share and offer, Ghana and for that matter Africa, also has something to share with him on his visit.
Sharing the party’s view on President Obama’s visit to Ghana, the Chairman of the CPP, Mr Ladi Nylander, said “we are seeking a mutual beneficial relationship with him for the good of Ghana and the United States.”
More importantly, Mr Nylander said “we don’t see him as someone who is bringing a bundle of gift but an opportunity to deepen relations for the mutual benefit of the two countries.”
Mr Nylander said although his visit was short, Ghana was a unique country and there were things that would linger on the mind of President Obama long after he had left the shores of the country.
He expressed the conviction that Ghana’s democratic credentials and the visit to the Cape Coast Castle will leave a lasting impression on him.
By choosing to visit Ghana first, Mr Nylander said President Obama had demonstrated that Africa was his concern rather than Kenya where he hails from.
The CPP welcomes him and it is our hope that his experience will be such that Ghana will be on his mind.
He said the Democratic Party in the US, Labour Party in the United Kingdom and the Convention People’s Party shared similar thinkings and believed in the same principles.
We, therefore, see Obama as a brother who is coming home to inspire us.
Indeed, it gives true meaning to the statement by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah that given the chance the “Black man is capable of managing his own affairs.”
(3) PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONVENTION (PNC)
The visit of US President Barack Hussein Obama to Ghana is an indication of the international community, especially the USA’s, recognition of Ghana’s determined efforts at staying the path of multi-party democracy, the National Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Alhaji Ahmed Ramadan, has stated.
He said after the successful 2008 general elections, Ghanaians had once again proved to the entire world that in the midst of the chaotic situation in some parts of Africa, the country was once again setting the stage as pioneers.
Alhaji Ramadan who was sharing his party’s view on the visit urged Ghanaians to deepen the culture of tolerance, multi-party democracy and the little strides in the area of economic stability.
“Every Ghanaian should be proud of the achievements and the recognition chalked up over the years but we should not use the occasion to be begging for favours from the US President,” he added.
He said Ghana must be able to put on the table what it had in hand in exchange for what America had to offer, especially in the area of trade, education, health and technology.
According to Alhaji Ramadan, Ghana must use the opportunity of Obama’s visit to demand greater access to the US market for Ghanaian goods and services and the creation of the conducive environment for Ghana to benefit from the huge American market.
He said it was high time the country also discussed with the USA, which was one of the largest consumers of oil, the possibility of assisting the country to build at least one extra oil refinery and other factories that would enable the country to add value to its oil produce to create employment and wealth for its people.
(4) NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP)
US President Barrack Obama’s visit to Ghana is another feather in the cap of the nation for its achievement in the democratic dispensation started in 1992.
It is also another step in deepening the great, excellent and cordial relationship that has existed between these two countries over the years.
Nana Ohene Ntow, the General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has opined.
Giving the NPP’s view on the visit, he said Ghana was gradually becoming famous for its determination to entrench democratic practice.
He was hopeful that that the visit would open another opportunity for the US to support Ghana to entrench its democratic culture.
This, he said, could be done through technical support to improve various democratic institutions such as parliament, judiciary and the security agencies as well as advance the general atmosphere for the enjoyment of individual rights and freedoms.
He said Ghana, like the rest of the world, had been hit hard by economic challenges and expressed the hope that the US could do a lot to stabilise Ghana’s economy, especially through export, by expanding the spheres of fair trade and greater access for Ghanaian goods to the US market.
Nana Ntow said the recent treatment by the Mills Administration of officials of the Kufuor Administration was not the best, notably the manner such personalities were being harassed by security agencies.
He said such actions were a great dent on the image of the country, and that the basic human rights of their political opponents must be respected.
He commended President Obama for deciding to visit Ghana, and urged Ghanaians to offer the first African-American President a befitting welcome.
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