Melania Trump Arrives Ghana for 5-Day Africa Visit

Melania Trump Arrives Ghana for 5-Day Africa Visit

US First Lady Melania Trump has visited a hospital in Ghana’s capital, Accra, at the start of her solo trip that will see her visit four African countries.

She was welcomed by traditional dancers and drummers at the airport but the public reaction has been low key.

The tour, which also takes in Kenya, Malawi and Egypt will focus on promoting health and education.

In February, a row broke out after President Donald Trump allegedly used “shithole” to describe African nations.

Mrs Trump’s week-long trip to the continent is seen as helping to heal some of the divisions.

The visit, alongside Ghana’s First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo, to Accra’s Ridge Hospital set the tone for the trip as a whole.

Mrs Trump observed babies being weighed as part of a project aimed at promoting nutrition in children, which is supported by funding from the US government’s foreign aid organisation, USAid

She is also set to promote her Be Best initiative which aims to tackle issues such as cyberbullying and boost healthy living. She tweeted that the campaign was going “international”.

We are taking off for #Africa! So looking forward to visiting #Ghana #Malawi #Kenya & #Egypt as I take #BeBest international. #FLOTUSinAfrica2018 pic.twitter.com/8P7r0evXcU

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 1, 2018

Ahead of her trip Mrs Trump said that she was looking forward to visiting “four beautiful and very different countries in Africa”.

“She is interested in Africa because she has never been before and knows that each country will have its own unique history and culture.” Stephanie Grisham, her communications director, said.

Ahead of her trip, Mrs Trump said that she was looking forward to seeing how the US can continue working together with Malawi to support a USAid programme that is focussed on children’s education.

The first lady also highlighted the work the US was doing in Kenya to support early-childhood education, wildlife conservation, and HIV prevention.

“My final stop, which is Egypt, will focus on the country’s tourism and conservation projects,” she said.