This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-45717641

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Melania Trump: US first lady arrives in Ghana for solo Africa trip Melania Trump: US first lady arrives in Ghana for solo Africa trip
(about 1 hour later)
US First Lady Melania Trump has arrived in Ghana's capital, Accra, in a solo trip that will see her visit four African countries. 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.
The tour will focus on promoting health care and education programmes run by US foreign aid organisation USAid. She was welcomed by traditional dancers and drummers at the airport but the public reaction has been low key.
She will also visit Kenya, Malawi and Egypt to foster diplomatic relations. 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 the word "shithole" to describe African nations. 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.Mrs Trump's week-long trip to the continent is seen as helping to heal some of the divisions.
She will also 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". What is Mrs Trump doing?
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".
Ahead of her trip Mrs Trump said that she was looking forward to visiting "four beautiful and very different countries in Africa".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."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.
What will she be doing? 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.
When she announced her trip, Mrs Trump said she was looking forward to working with Ghana's First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo to promote quality healthcare for mothers and newborns and nutrition in young children. The first lady also highlighted the work the US was doing in Kenya to support early-childhood education, wildlife conservation, and HIV prevention.
She said that she was looking forward to better understand how the US can continue working together with Malawi to support a USAid program that is focussed on children's education. "My final stop, which is Egypt, will focus on the country's tourism and conservation projects," she said.
Mrs Trump also highlighted the work the US was doing in Kenya to support early-childhood education, wildlife conservation, and HIV prevention. How has she been received?
"My final stop, which is Egypt, will focus on the country's tourism and conservation projects, but I know that through USAid, we have worked with the people of Egypt to promote an environment in which all groups of society - including women and religious minorities - can lead productive and healthy lives," she said. Mrs Trump got a warm reception at the airport but there has been little reaction by the public so far.
How will she be received? The BBC's Thomas Naadi, who is in the capital, says it is just like a normal day.
The US first lady was welcomed by traditional drummers and dancers at the Kotoka International Airport in the capital, Accra. Views about the visit have been mixed. "I think Melania is a great woman. Her story is particularly inspiring," one resident of Accra told the BBC.
However, according to Ghanaian journalist Elizabeth Ohene, there is not an atmosphere of Trump-mania in Ghana. But another compared her unfavourably to former First Lady Michelle Obama who travelled to Ghana with her husband on a trip in 2009.
"I think Melania is a great woman. Her story is particularly inspiring," one resident of Accra told the BBC.
But another compared her unfavourably to former First Lady Michelle Obama who was warmly received with her husband on a trip in 2009.
What does President Trump think of Africa?What does President Trump think of Africa?
Ahead of his wife's trip to Africa President Trump told reporters: "We both love Africa. Africa is so beautiful. The most beautiful part of the world, in many ways."Ahead of his wife's trip to Africa President Trump told reporters: "We both love Africa. Africa is so beautiful. The most beautiful part of the world, in many ways."
This view is at odds with comments he allegedly made in a private discussion in February,This view is at odds with comments he allegedly made in a private discussion in February,
Mr Trump was accused of racism, after he was reported to have used the word "shithole" to refer to African nations when talking about immigration policy.Mr Trump was accused of racism, after he was reported to have used the word "shithole" to refer to African nations when talking about immigration policy.
The African Union asked him to apologise over the comment.The African Union asked him to apologise over the comment.
He later told reporters: "I am not a racist. I'm the least racist person you have ever interviewed."He later told reporters: "I am not a racist. I'm the least racist person you have ever interviewed."
In August the president angered the South African government by falsely claiming that there was large-scale killing of white farmers in South Africa.In August the president angered the South African government by falsely claiming that there was large-scale killing of white farmers in South Africa.
The South African government reacted swiftly to refute Mr Trump's assertion that white South Africans were being targeted.The South African government reacted swiftly to refute Mr Trump's assertion that white South Africans were being targeted.
It is not known if Mr Trump ever visited Africa before he became president or whether he had any business links with Africa.It is not known if Mr Trump ever visited Africa before he became president or whether he had any business links with Africa.
What is the administration's Africa policy?What is the administration's Africa policy?
President Trump has not paid much attention to the continent, but has welcomed three African leaders, the presidents of Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya, to the White House.President Trump has not paid much attention to the continent, but has welcomed three African leaders, the presidents of Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya, to the White House.
When Rex Tillerson, Mr Trump's first secretary of state, visited Africa in March he said the themes of his trip were: counterterrorism, democracy, governance, trade and investment.When Rex Tillerson, Mr Trump's first secretary of state, visited Africa in March he said the themes of his trip were: counterterrorism, democracy, governance, trade and investment.
Mr Tillerson warned Africa of China's economic engagement with the continent which he said encouraged dependency, utilised corrupt deals and endangered its natural resources.Mr Tillerson warned Africa of China's economic engagement with the continent which he said encouraged dependency, utilised corrupt deals and endangered its natural resources.
He also announced a $533m (£380m) humanitarian African aid plan.He also announced a $533m (£380m) humanitarian African aid plan.
On the counterterrorism front Mr Trump's administration has escalated the fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel region and in Somalia.On the counterterrorism front Mr Trump's administration has escalated the fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel region and in Somalia.
The US has set up a drone base in Niger which is operated by the CIA.The US has set up a drone base in Niger which is operated by the CIA.