ACCRA: US First Lady Melania Trump on Tuesday started her first major solo trip in Ghana’s capital Accra, aiming to cast a positive light on her embattled husband’s administration.

A relaxed-looking Trump smiled and waved as she stepped off an overnight flight from Washington to be met on the red carpet by her Ghanaian counterpart Rebecca Akufo-Addo.

She beamed as she was welcomed by a troupe of traditional drummers and dancers. “Thank you very much,” she said with a smile.

The former model, whose choice of clothing is keenly watched, changed from a safari-inspired departure outfit of suede trench coat and leopard print heels to a red and white striped dress with white pumps by the time she arrived in West Africa.The 48-year-old is promoting her Be Best initiative, her official agenda unveiled in May designed to improve children’s well-being.

Her office said it will also “showcase” the work of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), even at a time when her husband’s government is looking to slash US aid across the world.

But unlike her predecessors, her visit will be followed closely to see if she can build bridges after the president reportedly dismissed Africa as a collection of “shithole countries”.

In addition to Ghana, she is due to visit Malawi, Kenya and Egypt before returning to Washington early on Oct 7.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd , 2018