The Red Carpet

The red carpet was literally laid out at the State House in Accra, Ghana, where foreign dignitaries, including a U.S. black Congressional delegation gathered Tuesday night in an exquisite setting. The occasion was the State Banquet commemorating Ghana's 50 year celebration of independence. The event was hosted by Ghana's President John Agyekum Kufor. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams? More like shrimp, or grilled snapper, ground nut soup with chicken, Kelewele--a ripe plantain chopped and mixed in with ginger cloves and pepper then fried--and Tiger nut pudding with exotic fruit salad, and of course, Champagne!

Now, for the second picture: This gentleman was among numerous men and women in ornate apparently ceremonial tribal dress who lined the red carpeted stairs leading to the State House.