By Mara Schiavocampo, NBC News correspondent

In just a few hours President Obama arrives in Ghana's capital city for his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as President. Make no mistake about it, his visit is being hailed as a homecoming. We all know that Obama's father was Kenyan, not Ghanaian. But for the people living here, it makes absolutely no difference. He is their native son just the same.

"We are African," said street vendor Dea Mor. "Kenya is part of Africa so we're part of him."

"There's not one African who would say he's a Kenyan," said Dr. Erieka Bennett of the Diaspora African Forum. "They all say he's African."

Ghana is eagerly anticipating Obama's arrival. Signs proclaiming akwaaba - welcome - are everywhere. Vendors are selling everything from African cloth with Obama's face on it, to handpainted portraits.

But along with the excitement is some frustration. Some are disappointed that Obama won't be holding a large public event like Clinton did, and that for the most part, he's being kept behind closed doors. He'll also be here for a very short time: just 21 hours. Many would like him to stay longer. He's most certainly beloved here, and the country wants as much of him as they can get.