Ghanaians in the diaspora run the danger of losing their unique culture

Ghanaians in the diaspora have been called upon to maintain their culture and demonstrate their faith in religion. This advice was given by the Hon. Samuel A. Odoi-Sykes, Ghana's High Commissioner to Canada in his address at the 3rd Annual Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Awards Night hosted by the Ghanaian News in Toronto on October 26, 2002.

Mr. Odoi-Sykes said that it was gratifying to note that due recognition has always been accorded to achievements in Ghanaian culture. He however warned that, "in their anxiety to adapt to new or modern ways of life in their various adopted countries, Ghanaians in the Diaspora run the danger of losing or abandoning their unique culture." He therefore advised that deliberate effort must be made to prevent this from happening.

The Following is the full text of the High Commissioner's speech

Greetings from His Excellency Mr. S.A. Odoi-Sykes, Ghana's High Commissioner to Canada, At The Third Annual Ghanaian-Canadian Achievement Awards Night On Saturday October 26, 2002 At The Church Of Pentecost Banquet Hall, Toronto

On behalf of the Ghana High Commission in Ottawa, and on my own behalf, I extend to all of you (Organizers, Award Winners and Invited Guests, Ghanaian-Canadians kind regards and warmest felicitations on the occasion of the Third Annual Achievement Awards of the Ghanaian-Canadian Community.

I am impressed by one significant aspect of this yearly event. The records show that the Awards cover all the important facets of human enterprise and experience, including Religion and Culture.

Religion or God is universally believed to be the source and mainstay of all human endeavor and achievement. Ghanaians are strongly religious. It is reassuring that the Ghanaian Community in Canada have maintained, and to demonstrate, their faith in Religion.

It is also particularly gratifying that due recognition has always been accorded to achievements in Ghanaian Culture. In their anxiety to adapt to new or modern ways of life in their various adopted countries, Ghanaians in the Diaspora run the danger of losing or abandoning their unique culture. Deliberate effort must therefore be made to prevent this from happening.

Culture is the soul of a people. It constitutes the characteristic spirit, moral values, ideas or beliefs of a group of people or community. GHANA HAS A RICH AND ENVIABLE CULTURE that we must all be proud of, and which Ghanaian-Canadians must seek to protect and preserve steadfastly in their adopted country.

Honesty, Truthfulness, Humility, Brotherly Love and Respect for the Elderly are some of the pre-eminent attributes or values of Ghanaian Culture. We have a moral responsibility as parents, community leaders and opinion leaders to inculcate in our Youth, especially those born and bred in the Diaspora, these noble virtues of our culture and traditions.

May I take this opportunity to assure Ghanaian-Canadians that the Government of Ghana recognizes and appreciates the enormous contributions made by Ghanaians in the Diaspora to the economy of the country, and the well being of their kith and kin back home.

It is in recognition of this fact that he DUAL CITIZENSHIP law has been passed to given Ghanaians in the Diaspora the opportunity to regain their lost Ghanaian Citizenship if they so wish. The Consular Section of the High Commission has just started sending out application forms to the Provinces for interested persons to apply.

I wish to end by warmly congratulating all the Award Winners for their success and excellence. We salute their achievements. Success and Excellence are never granted as natural gifts to any man: they are the rewards for hard work and perseverance. I exhort you to continue to work harder to attain even greater heights in your future endeavors in this country.

Canada offers Ghanaian-Canadians tremendous opportunities for the full development of their talents and potentials. Canada is noted to be one of the best six countries in the world in which to live. It is a peaceful and well-organized society with an outstanding quality of life, society endorsed in good governance, democracy and rule of laws.

May God Bless Us All.

Samuel Arthur Odoi-Skyes High Commissioner