Washington Celebrates Graduants of 2008

Over one hundred Graduates of Ghanaian parentage were honored by the Ghana Mission and the Ghanaian Community in Washington DC at a colorful ceremony on Saturday, June 21st.

The event, a brain-child of His Execellency Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei, started with sixty Graduates in 2007, with College and High School Graduates from Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington DC and its immediate environs. This year, the ceremony had several participants from remote States of the U.S.A, including Florida and Texas.

Present were many renowned achievers, including Dr. John Allotey, a seasoned Scientist and Medical Practitioner; Dr. Mrs. Martha Sedegah, Senior Scientist of the U S Navy Medical Research Centre and National Malaria Research Centre; Mrs. Mary Damuah, National Chairperson of Council of Ghanaian Associations and top Executive members of the Association. Also present were several distinguished personalities and traditional rulers of the Diaspora.

Dr. Bawuah-Edusei in his welcome remarks exhorted the Graduates not to be oblivious of life's challenges. He counseled them to be prudent in their preferences of professional choices. He stressed:

"Across disciplinary selection will put you ahead on the job market, seek counsel and with good sense of time management, you will make it; remember, chance favors the prepared mind".

Ambassador Bawuah-Edusei motivated the Graduates further by revealing to them some very good examples of U.S.-trained-Ghanaians-Achievers who have helped make Ghana great by giving back to the Ghanaian society what they have acquired in U.S.A. education.

He paid glowing tribute to Mr. Ken Ofori Attah, who introduced the lucrative Stock Exchange in Ghana through his company, Databank and Mr .Patrick Ewuah, a Microsoft founding Executive, who has contributed to Tertiary Education by building an ICT-biased College known as Ashesi University - one of the first private institutions in Ghana. Dr. Kofi Amoah was also praised for introducing Western Union to Ghana.

Other Diasporans acknowledged by His Execellency Bawuah-Edusei are Dr. Manny Tufuor who has built the first major hospital in rural Ghana, in addition to a stone quarry and a factory that manufactures bitumen, just to help mother Ghana flourish; and Mr. Sandy Osei Agyeman who has transferred his multimillion beauty product factory from Chicago to Accra to create jobs for Ghanaians.

"The road to success, he emphasized, is not an easy one, as there are periods of difficulties and challenges. He therefore adjured them to use God's guidance and Ghanaian positive cultural attributes and will be successful. He exhorted the Graduates to stay away from 'Drugs', practice abstinence from sex until preferably married and in the position to take up responsibilities, otherwise remember to practice safe sex."The Ghana's Ambassador to the USA noted.

Ambassador Kwame Bawuah-Edusei encouraged them further not to allow the fear of failure block their zeal to move on to excellence, as Ghana needs them. He encouraged them to walk around obstacles that are overwhelming and love what they do and do it with passion. He ended by sharing with them these words of wisdom from his late Mother of blessed memory, which cautions:

"Never envy, think positive and good things will come your way".

Dr. John Allotey, a renowned Scientist, in his motivational Speech said the USA affords great opportunities for all. He challenged the Graduates to have positive goals and cultivate the right spiritual and mental disposition which will foster the right career choices that are unlimited. Positive thinking, he hinted is rewarding, as one gives birth to what one fixes his thoughts on.

The world, he observed, is changing at a dizzying pace, giving cause to the need to reshape one's career to meet demands on the job market.

He strongly advised the Graduates to look into the Health Sector where there are unlimited opportunities, including the Care of the Aged, a present day Health Discipline with a huge market.

Dr. Allotey reminded them of the wealth hidden in Agriculture ready to be explored by the adventurous, and encouraged them to consider that and other lucrative areas as well.

Dr. Mrs. Martha Sedegah, a Top Malaria Researcher in her contribution underscored the major assets Ghana has in her educated youths.

Using herself as an example, she stressed that one needs not limit himself in life, because with hard work and determination, no matter ones global location, the background of parents, or financial status, and peculiar circumstances, one can, through hard work achieve something in life.

Dr. Mrs. Sedegah expounded the rewards of enquiring minds and windfalls that come as a result of probing into the unknown. She concluded by admonishing all not to resign themselves to their present achieved status, but endeavor to aspire higher.

She mentioned, that a solitary hand written letter in response to an article she read from a Medical Journal twenty-five years ago, positively changed her career, veering her into a Malaria-Cure/Eradication Researcher.

The climax of the celebration was when each Graduate received a Certificate of Honor as a 'Statement of Recognition' by the Government of Ghana, a Kente Stole as a symbol of Cultural Heritage and an inspirational book on the rewards of resilience and determination, from the Mission.

Presentations were made by His Execellency Dr.Kwame Bawuah- Edusei assisted by Mrs. Evangeline Bawuah- Edusei, wife of the Ambassador and Mrs. Mary Damuah, Chairperson of Counsel of Ghanaian Associations. The event was highlighted by the cutting of a Graduation Cake by the Graduates, supported by Dr. Bawuah-Edusei and distinguished guests. It ended with a buffet banquet, Music and Dancing with parents and all present at the function.

A firm believer in education coupled with sound counsel himself, Ambassador Dr. Bawuah-Edusei has been a promoter of advancement of skills, trades, professions and technical competence. He has served as an inspiration to many a business man, both Ghanaians and foreigners.

In an interview with some guests at the function as well as a member of the Executive of the Ghanaian Association, who want to remain anonymous, Dr. Bawuah-Edusei's acumen as an aggressive marketer of Ghana was revealed. Through one on one approach, he successfully has reached out to the Ghanaian Community and foreign businessmen, and has encouraged many to critical thinking that has driven them to the realization of their goals.