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 Two 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 (weight) 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.