Official engagements of US President, Barrack Obama in Accra on Saturday morning, had led to the blocking of a number of routes linking mainly to the Osu Castle and Parliament House where he is billed to visit.
This compelled most public commuter services (trotro) to abandon their passengers at the Osu public Cemetery and other convenient spots to continue the rest of the journey on foot.
The most affected are passengers from Tema, Nungua, Teshie, La and Labone, who are travelling mainly to the Accra business district. The roundabouts linking the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium and Osu Cemetery had been blocked with police armoured vehicles, while the heavy number of security personnel armed with guns and anti-riot gear, were preventing people from walking on roads leading to Parliament House. Most passengers who were walking in cues along the pavement in front of the Osu branch of Inter Continental Bank voiced out their frustrations to the Ghana News Agency.
An old lady who spoke on condition of anonymity said she had travelled from Nungua hoping to get to the Makola market in time to buy some few goods home. "Gentleman is it fair that at my age I had to trek the rest of the journey on foot. I am just old to this because of President Obama visiting my country." Some people, who were simply having fun about the police presence and a helicopter hovering around the area, where heard shouting "Obama, Obama Obama."
A young man in his late 30's, who was using his mobile phone to take pictures of the scene, was quickly arrested by the Police who gave him two hefty slaps. His only defence was to add them in a soft tone "my friend why are you slapping me. What have I done wrong"? as he was being whisked away. Meanwhile a number of traders were making brisk business at the Ministries area, with President John Atta Mills and President Obama souvenirs. Some people were also dressed in t-shirts and special clothes embossed with President Obama's portrait.
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