ACCRA, Ghana — Proud Ghanaians fanned out in this capital city in T-shirts, stocking caps and dresses printed with images of President Barack Obama, who was making rounds Saturday on his first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa.
But although the setting was the sultry West African coast, the environment was American-style security. About 10,000 police officers lined city streets and blocked roads near Obama’s itinerary stops, dogs sniffed around the building where Obama addressed parliament, helicopters flew overhead.
Amid the excitement of the U.S. president’s visit, some Ghanaians expressed regret that there would be no public address by the man they had been eagerly awaiting for two months.
“We are not tourists. We are Africans. This is our home,” said Muhammad Bako, a businessman who was standing with about 40 onlookers near a police checkpoint several blocks from the conference center. “So they should set up a situation where we could see him.”
In Ghana, like many African countries, life is largely lived in public. But Obama outlined his Africa policy in a conference center, not in the oceanfront Independence Square named for Ghana’s distinction as the first African country to shed colonialism, in 1957.
Ghanaian officials attributed the indoor venue to security concerns and seasonal downpours, but some analysts said Obama made the choice to underscore the seriousness of his visit.
Saturday morning, most people went about their mornings as usual, even during Obama’s speech. Earlier, modest numbers of people gathered on the streets in hopes of catching a glimpse of the American leader — or at least of “The Beast,” as many here know is the nickname of Obama’s limousine.
Vendors roamed with Obama stocking caps and paper fans.
As a convoy of dark vehicles rushed past the downtown stadium, Kobina Arkaah, 37, craned his neck.
“Where’s The Beast? Is it among them?” he asked. “We are in love with Obama, a son of Africa.”
