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Four hundred years after the first enslaved African slave ship sailed to America, US House of Representatives President Nancy Pelosi condemned the "serious evil" of slavery in America. a speech delivered in front of the Ghanaian parliament.
The California Democrat, who was the first US speaker to speak to Ghana's lawmakers, said the visit of his colleagues and colleague aimed to recognize the past while looking to the future.
Pelosi and his delegation, which included members of the US Congressional Black Caucus – including representatives Ilhan Omar and John Lewis – arrived in Ghana Sunday. They have since met with Ghana's President, Nana Akufo-Addo, and have visited Elmina Castle and the "Gate of No Return" at Cape Coast Castle. Both were slave forts where people were sent to the New World.
Ghana has declared 2019 "Year of Return" to encourage people of African descent to visit the country.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Ghana's President Mike Oquaye in the Parliament of Ghana on July 31, 2019. (S. Knott / VOA)
Pelosi, who sits on Wednesday alongside Ghana's parliament speaker, Mike Oquaye, told the chamber that the visit to both sites was overwhelming, saying that they marked the beginning of the African-American experience's journey. .
"Our delegation was moved by what we saw this week," she said. "At Elmina Castle, we saw the dungeons where thousands of people were grotesquely tortured.W At Cape Coast Castle, we stood in front of their last glimpse of Africa before they be sent into a life of slavery, being here was a transformative experience for all of us. "
Pelosi also spoke about relations between the two countries, thanking Ghana for its work in the field of global security, especially for its contribution to US peacekeeping missions.
It has also recognized the fight against discrimination in both countries. Ghana gained independence in 1957 and also supported the American civil rights movement.
The visit placed a strong emphasis on the economic and commercial ties between the two nations, which Pelosi also evoked in his speech, recognizing the efforts of the Congressional Black Caucus.
"The United States is strongly committed to economic progress in Ghana – a commitment that has been established and advanced over the many years since the Millennium Challenge partnership and the African Growth and Opportunity Act," she said. declared. "Together, our governments must continue to support smart development – strategies that drive sustainable economic growth that raises all families in Ghana and throughout Africa."
Ilhan Omar, US Representative, is adopted by Ghana's former President, Jerry John Rawlings, in the Ghanaian Parliament on July 31, 2019. (S. Knott / VOA)
For Adwoa Safo, Deputy Prime Minister of the Ghanaian Parliament and President of the Women's Caucus, Pelosi's visit was essential. As one of the few women in parliament, Safo said the speech was "perfectly timely".
"I think that with her great experience in politics and her local rise to the rank of spokesperson for the United States, her visit is very historic and inspiring for most of us, as women." , she said.
Safo said the two countries have good relations that should be strengthened.
"Ghana has a lot to offer in terms of political stability – we are the pioneers of independence in Africa and the progress of our country – and the support we always receive from the US government," she said. . "We have a lot to offer and a lot to give in terms of investment, exploiting our natural resources and building our capacity, they have been very, very strong."
It is this sense of partnership that Pelosi emphasized during the visit, as well as the promotion of new economic and trade links between the two countries, while highlighting the need to fight against climate change, to promote the empowerment of women. and to ensure equal health care.
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