Melania Trump arrives in Ghana for first solo

First lady Melania Trump has embarked on her first big international trip – and first visit to Africa – with plans to visit the world, focusing on child welfare.

Her trip will include a visit to schools, shelters and hospitals while she focuses on the well-being of children. The mother of a 12-year-old son, is an important issue for Trump, who launched her advocacy initiative "Be Best" earlier this year. As Trump says, the campaign is "shining a spotlight on successful programs and organizations that teach children tools and skills."

First up on the trip for Trump is Ghana. She arrived in the West African nation on Tuesday and visited a baby clinic. She toured wings of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, including an older part of the hospital and a newer facility, and passed out teddy bears wrapped in blankets.

Trump, too, got a firsthand look at how to be weighed at the hospital. (They were placed in the shoes of a mother and mother.) She also watched a nurse demonstrate how vitamins are administered to babies by mouth.

The first lady as well as child care.

Trump, 48, also had tea with Ghana's first lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, at the presidential palace, known as the Jubilee House. The two women traded gifts: A white house in a signed leather case for Akufo-Addo and a Kente cloth and artifacts for Trump.

The pair had previously been in September at a reception during the United States General Assembly in New York.

Next up on her trip to Malawi, Kenya and Egypt. Trump joins the list of first ladies – Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Michelle Obama – who also made solo trips to Africa.

The trip to Africa works for the Trump administration on multiple levels, a source told Fox News. It's been a challenge for the president, and this visit can take some of the focus off that. It also portrays Trump as a first lady who is passionate about serious issues.

The trip, too, can show the people of Africa they are on the Trump White House's agenda in a positive manner.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.