Obama Sighting

I expected many new experiences while here, but I did not expect to see my president while on the opposite side of the Atlantic. However…

You may not have heard in the news (at least in the U.S.), but Obama visited Cape Coast on Saturday on his way back from the G8 Conference in Italy. His arrival was broadcasted everywhere. From 30-ft tall billboards and radio announcements to pop songs written and little children shouting, everyone was talking about Obama.

Well, I couldn’t miss this experience! So, with a few of the other volunteers and some local Ghanaian friends, we scoped out our options (which was way harder than expected—any standardized announcement or other communication about when and where Obama would be speaking was nonexistent) and planned our strategy.  

Saturday morning, the day of his arrival, came around, and we took off bright and early. By the time we made it in to Cape Coast, people were already swarming the streets. Food vendors maneuvered the crowds, adeptly balancing huge loads of popsicles, beans and rice, or peanuts on their heads while taxis swerved through the massive crowds, miraculously managing to avoid the people. It didn’t help that the annual Bakatue festival occurred this weekend too, which meant we had to navigate through a parade of chiefs decked out in their gold and finery and followed by their retinue of women, children, and canopy bearers. 

We made a bee-line for the main street where we thought Obama would pass. Somehow, no one was there yet! I realized later that it was because we showed up 4 hours before his car would pass. Ah well. As the time drew closer, our little square grew increasingly packed. Have you ever been on the front line at a mosh pit? Try it Ghanaian style—instead of a fence, I was standing in front of a huge gutter that… well, wasn’t exactly clean and hardly smelled like roses.  

Then, the distant sound of a helicopter came and the crowd went crazy! It was the most surreal experience, hearing the native Ghanaian language of Fanti spoken all around me and recognizing “Obama, Obama” every few seconds as the shouting grew louder and louder. 

 
After two more Air Force One helicopters and a few other false alarms, the riot police really started clearing the street. By this time, hundreds of Ghanaians were crowed around me, packed as close as they could to the American president. My friends and I held our ground, giving back just as much push—I wasn’t giving up the spot that I had staked out for 4 hours! 

We heard the crowd streets away go wild before we could even hear the car engines. Then, the speeding police motorcycles transitioned to large, black SUVs (yep, they use them in real life, not just in movies), and, finally, the armored limousines. The cars sped by, and we erupted in fist pumping and cheers. We just caught a glimpse Obama’s hand as he waved at the screaming, shouting crowds outside his air-conditioned, quiet limo.  

Another 4 hours later, the crowds reacted in like pandemonium as we saw his other palm, waving goodbye as he left.  

Interested in the why? The political theories behind Obama’s visit are interesting. My Ghanaian friends have said that it was very important that he visited Ghana on this trip. Why? Apparently, Kenya is claiming Obama as their president, so to speak. By purposefully visiting another improving, democratic African country on his second visit to the continent, he is portraying himself as a friend and ally of all Africa, and not just Kenya. At least, this is the impression that many here believe.  

Want to hear his speech? Check out this link: 

  (Link will be posted as the Ghanaian Internet allows...) 

It’s funny—as I’m typing, I can here the radio talking, yet again, about Obama. The fervor hasn’t died down at all, even 4 days later. I’ll never forget the sight I saw yesterday evening. While I was sitting in a local chop bar looking outside at the street and neighboring shacks, a helicopter passed overhead. At the sound of it, five or six little children ran through the yard, little fists pumping and legs jumping, while they screamed “Obama! Obamama! Obama!”