Melania Trump in Africa: what is on first lady’s agenda?
Former model on whistlestop tour of Ghana, Malawi, Kenya and Egypt
Melania Trump has embarked on a five-day trip to Africa, her first solo overseas tour since her husband’s election in 2016.
The first lady left the US on board government jet Executive One on Monday for an overnight flight to Accra, the capital of Ghana.
After touching down at Accra’s Kotoka International Airport this morning, the 48-year-old former model was welcomed with flowers by a young girl. The first lady and her Ghanaian counterpart, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, were then entertained on the tarmac by a troupe of traditional drummers and dancers.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
As well as Ghana, Melania will make stop-offs in Malawi, Kenya and Egypt, where she is expected to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza.
She has “waited more than a year-and-a-half into her tenure to embark on a significant solo journey”, CNN reports.
“All of her trips overseas thus far have been accompanying her husband, to Asia last year and, most recently, to Europe this summer,” the news site continues.
As for the topics on her agenda, it appears that the first lady intends to stick to her course of avoiding hot-button political issues in her public life.
“She is hoping to visit the countries to learn what their challenges are, and also see where the US is having a positive impact or results,” according to a emailed statement to Newsweek from Stephanie Grisham, Melania’s spokesperson.
Grisham added that the visits will promote “education, healthcare, some conservation and tourism”, and will tie into Melania’s flagship project as first lady, the children’s advocacy initiative Be Best. As such, “the well-being of children will be her focus”.
Melania’s trip to Africa follows several reports alleging that President Trump had made derogatory and racist comments about Africans - claims that leave “the first lady with some fence-mending duties”, says the Associated Press.
In January, Trump met with global condemnation after reportedly referring to African nations, as well as Haiti and El Salvador, as “s**thole countries” during a White House meeting.
The controversy came weeks after allegations that Trump had made comments about Nigerian immigrants refusing to “go back to their huts” during a separate meeting - claims that the president denied.
Kate Andersen Brower, author of First Women: The Grace and Power of America's Modern First Ladies, told CNN that Melania’s decision to make Africa her first port of call was “symbolic”.
“[It] sends a strong message that the US is engaged in the region and helps combat the statements reportedly made by her husband about the continent,” Brower said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A new era of hurricanes'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
How Britain's demographic is changing
A 50-year record population increase was fuelled by greater migration
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The story of Japanese jeweller Tasaki
The Blend A revival in the use of pearls in fashion and jewellery design places heritage brand Tasaki centre stage
By Felix Bischof Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published