Programs and Events 2009
Guineans gather for Obama's Ghana speech
On Monday, July 13, the Public Affairs section invited a group of Guineans to gather to watch President Barack Obama’s speech to the Ghanaian parliament, delivered on July 11 in Accra. Among those who came together to witness the speech were political leaders, academics, students, members of civil society and government and the Guinean press.
In his President Obama declared that he sees Africa as “a fundamental part of our integrated world” and emphasized the important partnership between the United States and African countries.
Obama highlighted the importance of good governance and democracies defined and selected by the people and called on Africans to take charge of their own futures. “The world will be what you make of it. You have the power to hold your leaders accountable, and to build institutions that serve the people. You can serve in your communities, and harness your energy and education to create new wealth and build new connections to the world. You can conquer disease, and end conflicts, and make change from the bottom up. “
In discussions following the speech, audience members expressed appreciation for Obama’s words of support for African self-development and many commented on the President’s condemnation of those who take power through coups, in which he noted, “Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs institutions.”