Traditional Ghanaian ruler also gave $685 gift to Mrs. Obama

Apart from Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, another prominent Ghanaian also gave gifts to the US first lady Michelle Obama, according to the US Federal Register.

The Omanhene of the Oguaa Traditional area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta gave some gifts worth $685 to Mrs Michelle Obama during the Obamas’ visit to Ghana.

According to the US Federal Register report, Osabarima Kwesi Atta who is also the president of the Oguaa Traditional Council in Cape Coast gave a gift consisting of a traditional necklace made of green, yellow, and white beads, a pair of brown leather sandals, two woven seat covers and three pieces of Ghanaian ‘kente’ cloth.

All the presents, however, go to the National Archives (Foreign Archives specifically) because US law bars any US government official from receiving presents from foreign governments and persons.

Mrs. Mills’s gifts to Mrs. Obama, a Backes and Strauss “Black Star of Ghana” watch “crafted in 18 karat gold with diamonds and leather,” has generated some debate in Ghana.

The Ghana government has issued a statement denying that Mrs. Mills ever gave gifts to Mrs. Obama. It says “The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, did NOT present Mrs. Michelle Obama with a Backes & Strauss wristwatch valued at $48,000, when President Barrack Obama and his wife paid a state visit to Ghana in the second week of July 2009.”

The statement however indicated that during the visit of President Obama and his wife, through the government, all kinds of gifts were presented to them.

The head of the Public Affairs Unit of the US Embassy in Ghana Ben Easp has told media in Ghana that the Embassy can confirm that indeed, neither Mrs. Mills nor the Ghana government has given the gift of a watch from Backes & Strauss valued at $48,000. He has therefore promised to get clarification from the White House about the clerical error that was captured by the US Federal Register.

The gifts are among a number of generous gifts given to the US first family and other public officials by government officials around the world.

According to the register Obama and others accepted the gifts because “non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and US government.”

By Ekow Quandzie