You are here: HomeNewsDiaspora2011 03 07Article 204537

Diasporia News of Monday, 7 March 2011

Source: stephen a.quaye, toronto-canada.

Teachers In Ghana Strike Whiles Ghanaians In Diaspora ...

... Celebrate Independence Day.

In the whole Ghana last weekend, the news was teachers boycotting the 54TH Independence Day anniversary parade as a way of fighting for their salary adjustment.

However in the Ghanaian communities in the diaspora, the story was different as the good people threw many events to celebrate the occasion far from home.

Anniversary lectures, concert shows as well as religious services were held in many places in Canada as Ghanaians gathered to celebrate the anniversary in style.

Though no parades were conducted, patriotic citizens living all over Canada, clad in their special kente, smock, Fugu or don their African wears to demonstrate how they love mother Ghana.

A special church service at Ghana Methodist Church in Toronto saw respectable Canadian politicians attending and all recommending Ghanaians for living responsible lives in the communities they find themselves in a foreign destination far away from home.

Honourable Judy Sglo Federal MP, North York, Honourable Kirsty Duncan MP for Etobicoke, Dr. Shafiq Qaadri MPP Etobicoke North as well as Jonne Nowak, PhD University of Toronto, observed the unrest in some part of the world and charged Christians to pray for peace to prevail where there is war.

They remarked how Ghanaians they settled here in Canada have been showing spirit of togetherness both in the church, their work places and their homes which is time to educate others how to live as one people.

Taking the congregation through the struggle for Ghana’s independence, a lecturer at University of Toronto, Professor George Dei, observed that in celebrating the country’s independence Ghanaians should be proud that their beloved country is now serving as a beacon in African.

He explained that Ghanaians must be proud of their country because it has achieved a great milestone in politics as an African country that the people were able to change government through the ballot box which other African countries are still struggling to achieve that feat.

Professor Dei, turned to the youth reminding them to use education to improve upon their lives and that of their communities.” You have to also build communities where you will be assisting those in need. Ghana got independence through education meaning education has to change our lives. We have come over here to learn English but we must also learn our local languages too” he emphasized.

In a speech on behalf of the Ghana High Commissioner Dr. Turkson, the consul General Mr. Kodjo Mawutor, urged Ghanaians to allow themselves to be transformed positively saying that bad language must stop the same way as division calling on all to be charitable to one another as well as being responsible to avoid mudding the name of the country. Preaching the sermon, Very Reverend [Dr.] Emanuel Asare Kusi, noted that all over the world presently there is change both in politics and the weather. He made it clear that in life one needs change therefore there is no need to be afraid of change which is eminent.

The minister of God prayed that the change which is coming will bring about transformation and blessing to Ghana, Canada and all mankind.

Earlier in his welcome address, the society steward, Mr. Eric Somoah, observed that the secret of Ghana’s independence from British rule was that the people were dependent on God therefore the need for Ghanaians to continue depending on God for peace and development.