High Commissioner to Canada pleads for unity.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada, His Excellency Samuel Odoi Sykes has appealed to the Ghanaian communities in Canada to unite and forge ahead in unity in the interest of Ghana and its development. “ We all belong to the same country, we are all one people, if we keep this in mind all the time, then our actions, our activities will be guided by one dominant desire: Ghana. Ghana can become a great country through the assistance of only Ghanaians. Whatever assistance we get from the IMF, World Bank or whatever source can only help but not as much as our collective efforts. Ghana can only be saved and developed only by Ghanaians. Whatever party will be in power, the country will always be for all of us”.

In an interview with The Ghanaian News Canada, which touched on a wide-range of issues, His Excellency Odoi Sykes regretted the confusion and the polarization of the Ghanaian-Canadian community over the intended appointment of the Honorary Consul General in Toronto last Spring. “I think we all need to cool down and resolve the situation”.

On his impression of his work so far, Odoi Sykes said that Ghana enjoys a fountain of goodwill from the Canadian government. He said he has been impressed and satisfied with the support and co-operation that he has received so far from all sectors of the Canadian government. He therefore rates his first six months in office as very successful.

The High Commissioner however regrets the fact that he has not been able to visit all places and regions in Canada where sizeable Ghanaian communities exist. One of the first reasons was the winter. But he has made good contacts with the three Ghanaian communities in Toronto where he has visited seven times since assuming office, met three times with the Ghanaian community in Ottawa and made three trips to Montreal. “In Ottawa I have met the Ghanaian community three times, the relationship with the professionals has been very cordial. Now that I have got acclimatized I will be making sorties to other Centers”.

On the resignation of former Honorary Consul General of Ghana in Toronto, Dr. La Kumi, His Excellency explained the process and events that led to the appointment of Dr. La Kumi not been renewed. He said that it was Dr. La Kumi’s inability or refusal to submit his resume and application for renewal on time to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana, which complicated the whole problem. He conceded, however that the way the issue was handled by certain NPP members in Toronto was in very bad taste, an exercise in poor judgment and issuing un-authorized statements. These led to many allegations and counter-allegations some of which, according to the High Commissioner were unfounded.

Asked about how visa applications from Toronto are being handled since the confusion from the early summer months, His Excellency said that the office of Dr. Edmund Kwaw on Yonge Street issues visa applications forms. These are collected and sent to the High Commission in Ottawa twice a week by courier for processing.

The High Commissioner confirmed the rumors about the appointment of former Toronto resident Charles Agyei Amoama as Deputy High Commissioner in Ottawa. He reported for work in the last week of September. His credentials have been sent to the protocol section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is only when a formal approval note is received from the Canadian government that the High Commission can make a formal announcement on this appointment. Questioned on the duties of a Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Odoi Sykes clarified that the position is not a representative position; it is more of a civil servant position like the Administrative Head of Chancellery.