GHANA has a special place in Africa's history. By being the first to attain freedom from colonialism it has always been the beacon of hope for Africa.

American President Barack Obama's arrival in Ghana, his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa as head of state, hopefully marks a new era of relations between Africa and the world's only surviving superpower.

Ghanaians have been saying akwaaba, meaning welcome, to Obama all week. They speak for the many of us in the continent who look to Obama as a symbol of what is possible. We would add that the message Obama brought is as welcome as this grandson of Kenya.

Obama avoided the simplistic manner in which some tend to frame Africa's many problems. While acknowledging colonialism's role in some of the mess our continent finds itself, Africans should take responsibility for Africa's problems. We would not have it any other way.