The following is the official government position on publications alleging that First Lady Mrs Ernestina Naadu Mills gave US First Lady, Michelle Obama, a gold watch worth $48,000 in 2009 when the US First Family visited Ghana.

RE: Naadu Mills Gives Obama $48,000 Gift

The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Mrs. Ernestina Naadu Mills, did NOT present Mrs. Michelle Obama with a Backes & Strauss wristwatch valued at $48,000, when President Barrack Obama and his wife paid a state visit to Ghana in the second week of July 2009.

During the visit of President Obama and his wife, through the Government, all kinds of gifts were presented to them.

One such gift is the said Backes & Strauss wristwatch which was presented to Mrs. Obama on behalf of Ghana by B&S And Africa Watch Trading Co Ltd (representatives of B&S in Ghana).

Without any equivocation, the gift was handed over, neither on the orders, nor, with the knowledge of Mrs. Naadu Mills.

Koku Anyidoho
(Head, Communications)