The spirit of Akwaaba is still alive – Daniel Fennell

Delivering an emotive farewell address at reception in his honour, Mr Daniel Fennell, the Public Affairs Counselor of the United States Embassy in Accra, extolled Ghana’s legendary hospitality, culture and peoples, saying the spirit of Akwaaba had been kept alive.

Mr Fennell, who personified his perspective of his time in Ghana with Maya Angelou’s poem, “The Human Family”, said Ghanaians and his native Americans could be likened to “brothers from the same father, but different mothers”.

“More alike, my friends, than unalike,” the diplomat stated repeatedly, in a breaking voice; to underscore the shared humanity of mankind, though distinct in strengths and weaknesses, as individuals.     

The US Ambassador, Mr Robert P. Jackson, with his wife, Babetta, hosted the reception, attended by a cross section of the local and expatriate community, at his residence, in Accra.     
 
Mr Fennell, who wittingly demonstrated his understanding of the Ghanaian culture and psyche by sharing some proverbs and parlances, said his experiences had been extraordinary with both the chiefs and people across the country.                
  
He said he was happy that he contributed to the success of the last general election and facilitated hundreds of exchange programmes involving Ghanaians politicians, professionals, youths and students to learn from best practices towards enriching Ghana’s human resource base to enhance national development.
   
“I am glad that in my tenure many scholarships have been given to some brilliant students to go and study in some of the best institutions in world to return home and contribute to nation-building; that teachers and students have received training and tools to promote their research work,” he explained.
    
He was also happy, said to applause, that he assisted in the promulgation of a new Code of Ethics for the journalists, through the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) to promote professionalism in the media landscape.
   
Mr Fennell lauded Ambassador Jackson for his professionalism, intelligence and wealth of experiences, saying his astute leadership made it enjoyable for him to give of his best.
    
He also commended his colleagues in the Public Affairs Department for their hard work and team spirit, which saw him through his three-year stay.
   
His colleagues presented a custom-made Kente stole and a photo album in appreciation of his sterling leadership and good human relations.
  
Ambassador Jackson, for his part, praised Mr Fennel saying he was a brilliant, knowledgeable and, indeed, a phenomenal diplomat.
   
The Executives of the GJA, led by Mr Affail Monney, the President, also presented a gift to Mr Fennell.