U. S. President Barack Obama has been in Ghana for a historical two-day visit and he was given more than a hero’s welcome on arriving in the west African nation late on Friday evening.

U.S. President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle Obama and their children Malia and Sasha (2nd R) arrive in Accra, Ghana, July 10, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Moments later, a brimming President Obama accompanied by his wife and two daughters and a 50-member delegation came out of the aircraft to euphoric cheers.

There were moving scenes at the airport as Ghanaian President John Evans Atta Mills and his wife Naadu approached to receive the U.S. first family.

The U.S. first family, full of smiles, were introduced to the welcoming party which included politicians from all parties including Nana Akufo-Addo, the former president of the west African nation and also a candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2008 presidential elections.

The Ghana News Agency reported that the festive atmosphere was enhanced by a dancing troupe from the National Dance Company whose coordinator, George Lamptey, said they were performing heraldic dances meant to welcome the august visitor and his family and make them feel at home.

President Obama savored the moment by taking a few steps to the “frontonfron” beat and encouraged his wife, who was then walking with Mills, to join in dancing to the beat.

A large crowd of youth wearing Obama T-shirts defied intermittent showers as they lined parts of the street to the airport to welcome the U.S. President.

There was heavy security presence and roads leading to the airport were sealed off yet this did not dampen the enthusiasm of people who came out as the motorcade made its way out of the airport.

Muhammad Mumuni, Ghanaian Foreign Minister, said President Obama lived up to the government’s expectation as an inspirer.

He said the U.S. president’s whole demeanor at the welcoming ceremony was exhilarating and he lived up to the billing as an inspirer.

Speaking in the same vein, Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa said everything went well, describing it as spotless.

The itinerary for the Obama’s visit begins on Saturday, with a special welcoming ceremony at the Castle, where he would hold closed-door bilateral talks with President Mills.

President Obama would then be hosted to a big breakfast for about 300 guests, including former presidents Jerry John Rawlings and John Agyekum Kufuor.

He would then pay a brief visit to the La General Hospital briefly in Accra, before moving to the Accra International Conference Center (AICC), where Parliament would be convened to hear his formal address.

While at the AICC, President Obama would make a major policy statement that is expected to redefine America’s relationship with Africa.

Security personnel have been posted at vantage points throughout the city, while the police have announced the closure of a number of roads in the capital.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet