Goodwill gives Obama added leverage in Africa

By Daniel Magnowski - Analysis

DAKAR (Reuters) - Goodwill for President Barack Obama could give the United States a little extra leverage to push good governance in Africa as well as in its priorities of securing energy supplies and fighting terrorism.

As the first black U.S. president, Obama is assured of an African hero's welcome in Ghana at the weekend.

But the United States still faces growing competition for influence from China and other emerging economic powers seeking resources and markets -- and putting less emphasis on matters such as governance that Obama is likely to stress in Ghana.

"Obama is not going to have it easy meeting these expectations because democracy in Africa is not the best," said Vladimir Antwi-Danso at the University of Ghana's Legon Center for International Affairs.

"He could succeed if he continues to be creative to ensure that assistance projects and initiatives are followed to their intended goals because there is enormous goodwill from the continent."

Although Obama's father was born in Kenya, Ghana was an obvious choice for his first visit to Africa as president.

It is it held up as an example of economic reform and good governance after two successful transfers of power through elections, including a vote in December that bucked a recent trend of flawed ballots and military takeovers elsewhere.

Ghana is also set to become the newest oil producer in a region that is increasingly important for the United States as it seeks to diversify energy supplies away from the Middle East.

"The priority of the United States in Africa ... is oil," said independent political analyst Babacar Justin Ndiaye in Dakar, capital of nearby Senegal.

"Ghana is neither Nigeria nor Angola, and Obama is going to Accra to recognize the country's political health and good governance," he said.

The United States is concerned at security in the Gulf of Guinea, where attacks by militants have shut in a fifth of top producer Nigeria's output. The hope is that Ghana will not suffer the same woes as other oil producers, where revenues have propped up dictatorships, brought unrest and spawned corruption.

"Strong bilateral support with the recognition that Ghana has had a long battle and a hard fought battle against corruption will help," said Tara O'Connor of Africa Risk Consulting.

SECURITY CONCERNS

Security is also a big U.S. concern in the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia, where Islamist insurgents Washington links to al Qaeda are battling to take power and anarchy has allowed coastal piracy to flourish.

"Africa has become a playground for terrorists," said Antwi-Danso of the University of Ghana.