A strong united front needed, says Ambassador.

Zurich-Switzerland--Ghana’s new Ambassador to Switzerland, Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodo, has called for a “united stronger front” to unify all splinter Swiss-based Ghanaian groups.

Addressing Executive members of the various associations in Switzerland, at the University of Zurich here, Mr. Duodu, also accredited to Austria, urged the associations, to work now, towards a unified front, to enable them achieve common goals and objectives.

“Goals must be directed to Ghana’s development efforts and membership interest; and a stronger and united membership could warrant the Embassy’s support” he declared,

The meeting, organized as part of planning for the 50th Ghana’s anniversary celebration in 2007, was attended by Executive members of the Ghana United Association (GUA), Ghana Union of Switzerland (GUS), Ghana Besonef Association (GBA), Ghanaian Overseas Residents Association (GORA), Okwahuman Association of Switzerland and The Ex-Ghana Swiss Society.

Four planned activities have so far been approved by the Planning committee for the celebrations, including Investment Forum in Zurich in collaboration with the Swiss Organization for Facilitating Investment (SOFI), which will be held from 19th to 20th June, 2007.

The rest are, Ghanaian Stamp Collection Exhibition, scheduled for 26th January, 2007; Reception in Berne on 6th March, 2007; Reception in Geneva on 7th March, 2007 Some of the activities proposed at the meeting included; § Dinner Dance to raise funds in support of commemorative project(s); On this H.E. the Ambassador recommended, for further consideration, the possibility of organizing it as a double event, in two respective locations on different occasions, for a maximum revenue generation.

§ Lectures; § Photo Exhibition § Cultural Display and Corals Night; etc.

A suggestion by a representative of Ex-Ghana/Swiss Society was also accepted, for a follow-up action, on a proposed football match between the Ghana Black Stars and the Swiss national team, as part of the anniversary in Switzerland and also, to mark the formal commissioning of the “Letzigrund” stadium, which is currently under renovation. The meeting directed that, the proposal should be discussed with the President of FIFA, Mr. Sepp Blatter as well as Mr. Walter Esposito of Akotex Limited in Accra.

The Ambassador, accompanied by an eight-member delegation, including Professor Dr. Yao Gideon Chonia of University of Zurich, visited Mr. K. Osei, a Ghanaian resident and member of Okwahuman Association, who has been admitted to the Zurich Cantonal Hospital for some time, suffering from “cerebral vascular accident”.

The delegation, jointly with Mrs. Joyce Osei, wife of Mr. Osei, offered special prayers for his speedy recovery.