Editor,

January 20th was an extraordinary historical event  in the annals of American history.  Barack Obama, the first African-American was inaugurated as president of the United States of America.

The inauguration of the first African-American as president of the USA was a unique event indeed when we consider that Africans were transported to the Americas in the most inhuman conditions from their normal environment and families, to a new and strange land where they were used as slaves to work in the sugar, cotton and other plantations of the deep south of that country.  

Slavery was a form of forced labour and was accompanied by many forms of inhumanities and evils, and recognised as a gross violation of human rights.  This period was an unhappy era. For 200-300 years, the slaves were considered less than human beings and were subjected to different forms of cruelty.  Many of these unfortunate Africans died before they reached their destination.  Since 1833, there has been a cessation of this terrible trade of slavery generally, although unfortunately, we see slavery continuing in certain areas of Africa up to recent times.

Who would have thought that an African-American would be elected to become the first Africa-American president in the year 2009? The God we worship is the only true God who can make the impossible situations in life possible.  In the year 2008 we did not think it possible for America to elect an African-American to the highest office in America. It has happened and God in his wisdom has made the impossible possible.  

It was reported  that the  largest crowds were expected to be at this unique occasion. More than 2,000,000 people gathered to watch the long parade from Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.  It was a great day for America.

It was symbolic as the incumbent President Bush and his wife left the White House by helicopter for the last time to travel to their new home.  It was impressive to see the ambassadors arriving and making their way along the route thronged by over 1,000,000 people to the White House. There was loud applause as the crowds viewed the former presidents arriving. Senator Kennedy was among them in spite of poor health.

Dick Cheyenne arrived in a wheel chair due to a previous accident when he twisted his back. Mrs Clinton, one of the recent contenders in the elections and now appointed secretary of state, former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, the Obama daughters and Mrs Obama were all there. The whole environment was electric with excitement as the crowd exclaimed, "Obama! Obama!” and waved miniature American flags above their heads. It is significant that Barack Obama had decided to use the old Bible used by Abraham Lincoln, which had not been used since then, for his own swearing-in ceremony.   

President Obama’s inaugural speech was honest, sincere,  meaningful and full of hope for the world and the American people.  He stated that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace, a status that the entire world is crying out for.  He has recognised the challenges he must encounter and appears prepared to cope with them.

We hope and pray that he will have the wisdom, fortitude, strength, patience, resistance and God’s   constant protection and support to tackle the trials and tribulations which beset today’s world.