A DREAM FULFILLED (JAN 21)

President Barack Obama took the oath of office before a milling crowd in Washington DC yesterday as the 44th President of the United States of America (USA).
The euphoria that greeted the installation of President Obama, the first African-American to assume office in the White House as President, demonstrates a major shift in world politics.
Eight years of the Bush administration led to the isolation of the US by the rest of the world because of certain unilateral decisions it took, particularly in the fight against terrorism.
The US, which for a very long time led a coalition of like-minded countries to fight injustice in the world, was isolated by its closest allies because the Bush government abandoned the path of partnership in dealing with world challenges.
Across the length and breadth of the globe, peoples of the world, irrespective of their race and political persuasions, expect a new order from the Obama administration that will offer hope for global peace and development.
We are encouraged by the assurance by President Obama to the world that his administration would be founded on equality and justice.
Certainly, the Daily Graphic is hopeful of a new legacy from President Obama which will be a departure from what we had been used to over the last eight years.
President Obama and his team will have to quickly put in place an economic recovery programme that will reverse the economic recession and offer hope not only to Americans but also the rest of the world whose people are feeling the pain of economic down-turn.
President Obama’s caution that the market, if left without a watchful eye, could spin out of control must remind those of us in developing countries that unfettered liberalisation cannot guarantee opportunities for prosperity for everybody who is willing to be productive.
The Daily Graphic hopes that the US under President Obama will fulfil its pledge to work alongside poor nations to make their farms flourish, let clean water flow to nourish starved bodies and feed the hungry.
We in Ghana expect more fruitful co-operation between the leaders of the two countries — President J. E. A. Mills and President Obama — as they lead governments whose policies are geared towards the underprivileged and for which reason they will closely work together to change their countries towards the right direction.
Ghana's friendship with the USA goes back decades, especially in 1961 when the first group of Peace Corps volunteers arrived in the country to help to develop the country even in the remotest areas.
We look forward to the deepening of the existing ties between Ghana and the US.
The challenges ahead may be tough but with the right partnership with the rest of the world, President Obama can help America to reconnect with the rest of the world to build a peaceful world.
The Daily Graphic is convinced that if President Obama leads this crusade, the world will be able to proclaim an end to the gloom and doom that stare us in the face as a result of the economic crisis.
The goodwill that greeted the inauguration of President Obama cannot be allowed to fade but made to blossom so that the world can attain "the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness".
We, therefore, encourage President Obama to use his tenure to carry the rest of the world towards the path of freedom and prosperity.