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Melania Trump met a traditional leader at Obama Hall
The first American lady, Melania Trump, visited a former slave fort in Ghana on the second day of her solo trip to Africa.
She said that "the dungeon is really something that people should see and experience" and that "what happened so many years ago is truly a tragedy".
People were kept naked and chained in Cape Coast Castle in the seventeenth century, waiting to be shipped as slaves.
Ms. Trump's African tour will include Kenya, Malawi and Egypt and aims to promote the well-being of children.
President Donald Trump has not visited Africa since taking office in January 2017.
In February, a quarrel erupted after he allegedly used "shithole" to describe some African nations.
Mrs. Trump's week-long trip to the continent is considered a healing aid to some divisions.
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Reuters
What did Mrs. Trump do in Ghana?
Wednesday's highlight was his visit to Cape Coast Castle, a major outpost on the Atlantic slave trade route.
She first paid a courtesy visit to a local traditional leader, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, who met him at Obama Hall, named after former US President Barack Obama.
Mr. Obama, the first African-American president, visited the castle in 2009 with his wife, Michelle, a descendant of African slaves, and their two daughters.
After touring the castle and following a history lesson, Ms. Trump said, "It's very moving, I'll never forget [the] incredible experience and the stories I've heard ".
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AFP
Slaves were shipped from Ghana
On Tuesday, Ms. Trump went alongside Ghana's First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, at the Ridge Hospital of the capital, Accra.
Ms. Trump observed that babies were being weighed as part of a project to promote nutrition among children, which is supported by funding from the USID US organization for help in l & # 39; 39; abroad.
What is the meaning of the castle?
By Thomas Naadi, BBC Africa, Cape Coast Castle
The castle is one of the many historic trading posts scattered along the West African coast. During the transatlantic slave trade, tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were detained here in degrading and inhumane conditions before being shipped to the Americas.
Some of them were kidnapped and traded for items such as alcohol and firearms. The castle was originally used as a trading post for goods such as gold and wood.
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Reuters
Melania Trump is the last American first lady to visit the old slave port
In 2009, Obama described the castle as a vestige of deep suffering and a reminder of the human ability to commit great harm.
This is an important element of the starting point of African-American history.
Has Mrs. Trump ever visited Africa?
Prior to her trip, Ms. Trump said she was eager to visit "four beautiful and very different African countries".
"She is interested in Africa because she never went there and knows that each country will have its own history and culture." Stephanie Grisham, her director of communications, said.
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Reuters
Schoolchildren welcomed Ms Trump to Accra on Tuesday
Ms. Trump said she was eager to see how the United States could continue to work with Malawi to support a USAID program focused on the education of children.
The First Lady also highlighted the work done by the United States in Kenya to support early childhood education, wildlife conservation and HIV prevention.
"My last stop, Egypt, will focus on the country's tourism and conservation projects," she said.
How was it received?
Ms. Trump received a warm welcome, but the crowds did not gather in the streets to greet her, as was the case for Obama.
The views on the visit were shared. "I think Melania is a great woman, her story is particularly inspiring," said a resident of Accra at the BBC.
But another said "she does not inspire me" by comparing her unfavorably to former First Lady Michelle Obama, who traveled to Ghana with her husband during a trip to Australia. 2009.
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What does President Trump think of Africa?
Before his wife leaves for Africa, Mr. Trump told reporters: "We both love Africa, so Africa is so beautiful, the most beautiful part of the world, in many ways. "
This view contradicts the comments he allegedly made during a private discussion in February.
Mr. Trump was accused of racism after using the word "shithole" to refer to African countries when he talked about immigration policy.
The African Union has asked him to apologize for this comment.
He then told reporters, "I am not a racist, I am the least racist person you have ever interviewed."
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AFP
President Trump recently said: "Africa is so beautiful, the most beautiful part of the world in many ways."
In August, the president angered the South African government by falsely claiming that there had been massive massacres of white farmers in South Africa.
The South African government reacted quickly to refute Mr. Trump's assertion that white South Africans were targeted.
- Does the South African government grab land from farmers?
What is the politics of administration in Africa?
President Trump did not pay much attention to the continent, but welcomed three African leaders, presidents of Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya, to the White House.
When Rex Tillerson, Trump's first Secretary of State, went to Africa in March, he said the themes of his trip were the fight against terrorism, democracy, governance, trade and investment.
Mr Tillerson cautioned Africa on China's economic engagement with the continent, which he says promotes dependency, uses corrupt deals and endangers its natural resources.
He also announced a humanitarian aid plan for Africa of $ 533 million (£ 380 million).
With regard to the fight against terrorism, Trump's administration stepped up the fight against Islamist militants in the Sahel region and in Somalia.
The United States has set up a drone base in Niger, operated by the CIA.
- War in the desert: why the Sahara is the new front line of terror
