On Wednesday, First Lady Melania Trump visited Cape Coast, Ghana, where she paid tribute to victims of the 11th-century slave trade. This was the second day on her week-long trip to Africa as part of her “Be Best” campaign, VOA News reports.
According to the White House, “Be Best” is designed to help children “be best” on their individual path while “teaching them the importance of social, emotional, and physical health.”
Cape Coast’s Paramount Chief, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, presented Mrs. Trump with several gifts and gave permission for her to visit Cape Coast Castle, one of several locations used for the brutal imprisonment of those trafficked in the slave trade.
She was given a tour of the dungeon and walked through the infamous “door of no return” that led to an ocean outlook.
“It’s very emotional,” she told reporters for The Washington Post. “The dungeons that I saw, it’s really something that people should see and experience.”
Mrs. Trump paid tribute by laying laid wreaths at the Male Dungeon and the Female Insurgents’ Cell.
Afterward, the First Lady thanked the Ghanaians for the hospitality they showed her when she arrived on Tuesday, when she met with First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Add of Ghana and was given a tour of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital. During the visit, she gave gifts to the children receiving treatment in the medical facility.
The First Lady said in a statement, “I want to thank the people of Ghana for such a wonderful visit and the opportunity to learn about their history and culture.”
She continued, “My time in your country was filled with so many meaningful stops. It was encouraging to see the commitment and compassion of Ridge Hospital staff and their focus on maternal and newborn health.”
Mrs. Trump also thanked the Chieftans for hosting her during the trip to Cape Coast and the president of Ghana for welcoming her.
“I also enjoyed visiting with the Omahen of the Oguaa Traditional Area Cape Coast, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, queen mothers, and other traditional leaders at Emintsimadze Palace, and it was an incredibly moving honor to have the opportunity to pay my respects at Cape Coast Castle,” she said.
“I look forward to visiting Ghana again in the future,” Mrs. Trump concluded.
According to Fox News, the First Lady plans to visit Malawi, Kenya and Egypt during her trip to Africa.