Afropop's Guide for Obama's Ghana Visit

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Afropop's Guide for Obama's Ghana Visit

  By Danny Silva and Kwaku Boafo

           On March 6, 1957, Ghana stood proud and tall as the first Sub-Saharan African nation to claim independence from European occupation. Invited by the nation’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, Martin Luther King Jr. was present for the momentous occasion. At lunch the following day the newly elected Ghanaian leader expressed to Dr. King that Ghana “would never be able to accept the American ideology of freedom and democracy fully until America settles its own internal racial strife.” Obama’s presidency is the fulfillment of Dr. King’s work, and his visit to Ghana signifies that Nkrumah’s visionary words have been brought to fruition. The administration’s decision to visit Ghana instead of a larger Nigeria or Kenya, Obama’s paternal home, illustrates Ghana’s successful 2008 election and peaceful transition of power between political parties.

            In Ghana, economic growth and social well-being go hand in hand with a flourishing music scene and nightlife. So, we beg to question, what music will reach the president’s ears as he tours the streets of Accra? What hotspots will his biggest fans go to celebrate this historic occasion? Afropop got the inside scoop on what’s hip in Ghana, and if the Obamas hit the streets we have a couple tips of how to get into the African groove of things.

            Air Force One is due to land at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, July 10^th, Friday evening, and as the night heats up the first tunes that Obama might hear are the hot beats of hiplife-Ghana’s most popular style of music. “Woso” by Okyeame Kwame, who recently swept the Ghana Music Awards Festival, will certainly by burning up the radio waves. Obama might want to ask the translation of any songs he hears by Obrafour, as his lyrics are laced with political commentary. Obrafour’s song “Kwame Nkrumah” recalls the achievements of Ghana’s liberator and pushes politicians to do their best. There would be no justice if Obama doesn’t listen to the original “hiplifer” Reggie Rockstone. In the early 90’s, as the nation swung forward into a new era, Rockstone redefined Ghana’s music scene for a newer generation. He brought together elements of American hip-hop, knowledge of the Twi language and Ghanaian culture and an unsurpassable talent for rhyming over sampled highlife classics, which became known as hiplife music. Rockstone’s track “Ah” featuring KK Fosu won the prestigious Pan-African Kora award for the best African music video in 2004.

          If hiplife doesn’t jive with Obama’s musical sensibilities, he may do well to seek out a friendly conversation at a “chop” bar where he’ll most likely hear some of Ghana’s musical roots. Highlife music, defined by uptempo guitar laden rhythms and syncopated horns, dominated West Africa from the 1900’s to the late 70’s. Today’s highlife stars Amakye Dede, Gyedu Blay Ambolley and Kojo Antwi maintain the tradition with a modern twist of synths and studio sounds. After a long day touring the capital and Cape Coast, a soulful dose of gospel may be what our president needs. He won’t have to look far because gospel, the fastest selling genre in the country, is played everywhere from taxis to kiosks and is always heard on the streets.

            While visiting El Mina Castle in Cape Coast, the Obamas can take a detour to walk the hanging bridges amongst the birds and animals in the canopies of Kakum National Park one of Ghana’s biggest tourist attractions. Once back in Accra, if the first family gets a little weary of hearing their dad’s speeches they can sneak off to the recently opened Accra Mall. There they pass by Rhapsodies, the hotspot on Wednesday and Friday nights. If they want to catch soccer match with some locals they should stop by Honeysuckle, and have some of their spicy chicken wings with yam chips. For some fine cuisine they can head to Celsbridge or Papaye, and grab some dessert at Frankie’s. They’ll have to head back to the “chop” bar for a taste of traditional Ghanaian dishes such as fufu, a pounded cassava and plantain dish served with peanut or palm-nut soup.

            Before heading back to Washington, the Obamas should pick up a few souvenirs at the Makola Market. Some Kente cloth would add some lively color to the White House. Each color in the fabric has meaning, so we recommend some gold for royalty, green for a good harvest, pink and purple for a feminine touch, and blue for peace.

            As July 10^th nears, the Obama craze continues to sweep through Africa, Ghanaians prepare to welcome him. In 1998, Bill Clinton drew an estimated million people to Accra; in 2008, W. got a motorway named after him. With a hotel bearing Obama’s name in honor of his visit, and an election anthem by Ghana’s own reggae star Blakk Rasta there’s no telling what’s in store for Obama in 2009.