Obama’s historic visit to Ghana-My Perspective

It is 5pm. There is huge traffic in some major streets in Accra. It is quite quiet too.
Last Friday the atmosphere was different. The major streets had been cleared by 7pm. Sounds of sirens filled the air; the few cars in town blew horns. Children giggled. Young people shouted. People who had already arrived in their homes stayed glued to their TV sets. Others drew their chairs closer to their radio sets and increased the volume. Every one was eager to hear news that the first black America president had landed safely on the soil of Ghana.

Some parts of the streets still have America’s flags hanging on poles. Some people have them in their cars and in their offices as well. There are still some pictures of President Obama and his wife with the inscription “AKWAABA PRESIDENT OBAMA”. “Akwaba” means welcome in the dialect twi spoken by majority of people in Ghana.

Today, Obama’s visit to Ghana may not be news. Last weekend it was the news that captured the world’s eyes, ears and hearts to a standstill.

President Obama’s historic visit to the Ghana people and places will remain golden lines in our good books.
The sight of him, the sound of his voice, the wisdom in his words and his touch will forever remain in the hearts, minds and eyes for many -young and old of my motherland.

My perspectives-Obama’s concern about Maternal Health in Ghana
One of the major places Barrack and Michelle Obama visited while in Ghana is the La General Hospital in Accra. The Obamas interacted with expectant mothers, touched and held babies and smiled at them sweetly.
It is conspicuous that the Obamas have issues that affect children and women such as maternal and infant mortality at heart.

Maternal health and infant mortality- are both critical development issues that need the world’s focus, intelligence and resources to support health related strategies, systems and policies.
Even though every woman and every child has the right to survival many women in Africa die in their attempts to give life to others-giving birth due to lack of effective pregnancy care and delivery support. Many children and women also loose their lives to Malaria and HIV.

Reducing Infant Mortality and improving on maternal health are part of the Millennium Development Goals:
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health

For these two goals to be met there is the need for every one to respond to the wake up call and take action in his or her own small way.
It there fore calls for the dedication, commitments and responsibility of the individual, families, local and international communities, agencies and Governments if this goal is to be met.

What Obamas concern mean to me as a young woman.

As a young woman, knowing that such a respected and powerful political figure is concerned and willing to provide support in the area of health care gives me HOPE for the lives of us all women who are prone to death during pregnancy and delivery. According to reports, new programmes to be coordinated by the USAID will improve Ghana’s healthcare delivery in three regions.

“When children are being killed because of a mosquito bite, and mothers are dying in childbirth, then we know that more resources must be made.” President Obama said during his visit to Ghana.

Source: Daily Graphic-www.graphicghana.com