US President Barack Obama has departed the shores of Ghana at 18:45 GMT after a historic one day visit to Ghana. Obama and family returned to the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) at 17:30 GMT from the slave Cape Coast Castle where they went on a private tour. Michelle Obama is believed to be a great-grand-grand-daughter of one of the slaves from West Africa, shipped to the New world, and that was an opportunity for her to connect with her past. Obama had early on made a profound policy statement on Africa to MPs, charging African leaders to take their destiny into their own hands. "Africa's future is in Africa's hands," he admonished. The Obama family also paid a snap visit to the La General Hospital in the morning, soon after their bilateral talks with President Mills and breakfast meeting with dignitaries at the castle. At a short departure ceremony President Obama advised Ghana to continue on the path of Good governance. He thanked Ghanaians for the warm reception accorded him and exchanged pleasantries, this time not with the dignitaries, but the dozens of fans, admirers who had converged at the KIA to pay their respect to the charismatic leader. On his part, President Mills was full of praise for the American president for making Ghana his first destination in Sub-Saharan Africa, and expressed the hope the visit will strengthen ties between the two countries. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com