We are following Vice President' Harris's historic visit to the Motherland as the first Black VP of the U.S.
Let's begin with background. . .
Monday marked the first full day in Ghana for Vice President Kamala Harris where she announced a $139 million aid package that takes effect in 2024. Funds are dedicated to fighting violent extremiesnm in Ghana and neithboring countries Benin, Togo, Guines and the Ivory Coast. On the weeklong trip, which includes stops in Tanzania and Zambia, she is touring the continent to strenghten the U.S. /Africa partnership. The trip is also a follow-up the US. Africa Summit held in Washington last December to clinch development opportunities as China, the continet's largest trading partner, expands its footprint across the African map.
However, the Vice President's thoughts were somewhat back at home as she mentioned the shooting at a Nashville elementary school.
MONDAY, March 27
Monday's schedule involved meeting with President Nana Akufo-Addo . "This trip is motivated ny the impotance of the relationship between rthe United States and Ghana." she offered at a bi-lateral press conference.
She shed light on the music and arts scene of Ghana by visiting a recordinf studio and skate park accompanied by actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and actor Idris Elba. Elba had attended the summit in America and was invited to come along to engage with respect to the "orange economy," or creative arts industry, which he says has "a lot of growth potential in Africa." part of that potentila lies in teh fact that Frica's ever-groing population if the youngest on the planet.
In the evening Harris wore and elegant, floor length cape over a dress to a state banquet held in her honor. Her regal attire received praise on the internet. The exterior Ghana's Jubilee house where the event was held was lit up with the colors of the US and Ghanian flags.
TUESDAY, March 28
Today the VPOTUS delivered a speech at Black Star Gate in Accra, Ghana where thousands were gathered.
This visit also served as an educational oppotuinty. The Vice President and Second gentleman were taken on a guided tour of The Cape Castle, the site slave trade. It is a site known to have ancestral ties to millions of African Americans and Black people in the African diaspora. Harris and Emhoff wiped away tears as they crossed into the "Door of No Return," a final step enslaved people took never to return to their homeland. This painful history, she said, must be taught.
"The horror of what happened here must always be remembered. It cannot be denied. It must be taught. History must be learned," the Vice President said.
She also noted that the ancestors of slaves went on to fight for cilvil rights and justice in America and around the world and that everyone is indebted to them.
"All of us, regardless of your background, have benefited from their struggle, from therio fight," she sid. Harris vowed to use the pain slaved endured to continue figiting for justice.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. conservative Republicans are fighting to keep this very history out of U.S. classrooms by banning books and the teaching of CRT.
Pres. Barack Obama and First lady Michelle Obama visted the site in 2013.
コメント