Ghana celebrated Commonwealth Day at the British Council at the just ended Commonwealth Day celebrations in Accra.

Under the Commonwealth theme ‘Towards a Common Future’, the event attracted many high-profile dignitaries and school children, some of whom simulated a Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, to wild applause and cheering.

The event also recognised winners of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, which is often billed as the oldest essay competition in the world.

In the keynote address for the event, Honourable Mr. Charles Owiredu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, reiterated President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo–Addo’s strong conviction and support for the invaluable ideals of democracy, rule of law and prosperity on which the Commonwealth is strongly built.

Mr. Sam Okudzeto, Member of the Council of State, and Chairperson of the event reminded the audience, especially the young school children, of the need to look to the future and potential of the Commonwealth, whilst remembering Ghana’s past under its colonial masters.

This duality, he said, is a necessary part of any country’s development and evolution.

Short but poignant remarks were given by various heads of Commonwealth Diplomatic Missions in Ghana, beginning His Excellency Mr. Iain Walker, British High Commissioner to Ghana and His Excellency Andrew Barnes, Australian High Commissioner to Ghana.

Whilst the British High Commissioner made a call to government to recognise the huge potential for trade in the Commonwealth, the Australian High Commissioner emphasis the need to recognise the bond of friendship which exists between Commonwealth countries. This he said, will be on display at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

On his part, Mr. John Apea, Representative of the Secretariat of Commonwealth Societies, challenged students across Ghana to exercise their rights as active citizenry by becoming agents, rather than objects of change, within their communities.

He employed them to be custodians of the environment and to utilise the soft power of social media to promote positive social change within their respective communities.

Ms. Mina Mensah, Africa Head of Commonwealth Human Rights Office echoed this sentiment, stating that this century belongs to the youth. This she stated, has become evident from the youth led social uprisings that have occurred across the world this past decade.

Commonwealth Day at the British Council was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana, The British High Commission in Ghana, The British Council and Jandel Event Planners and Florist.

The Commonwealth has a combined population of 2.4 billion, of which more than 60 percent are aged 29 or under.

It is made up of 53 independent countries and is headed by Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth.