UK High Commissioner Celebrates Independence Day

WITH GHANAIANS IN THE U.K

The Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo, on Saturday12th March 2011 joined Ghanaians in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to celebrate the 54th Anniversary of Ghana’s Independence.

The High Commissioner had earlier in the week hosted a national day celebration which was attended by members of the U.K. diplomatic corps, and a cross section of the Ghanaian community at the Jumeriah Hotel in London.

The visit to Belfast was in line with the High Commissioner’s commitment to reach out to as many Ghanaian communities in the UK and Ireland as possible.

The Belfast event comprised of a mid-afternoon fair and exhibition of Ghanaian artifacts and “Made in Ghana” products. It was hosted by the Ghana Association of Northern Ireland (GHANI) in collaboration with Mr. George Fynn, Trade and Investment Attaché at the Ghana High Commission in London.

The celebration was attended by a large number of Ghanaians, their spouses and children. Also present were some members of other nationality groups who joined the celebrations in solidarity with Ghana.

The President of the Ghanaian Association of Northern Ireland (GHANI), Mr. Ezekiel Johnson, entreated all Ghanaians in Northern Ireland to join and support the group. The High Sherriff of Belfast, Councillor Ian Adamson, welcomed Ghanaians to the function. In his speech he paid tribute to Dr. Kojo Bentsi Enchill, his Ghanaian school mate in Belfast who presented him with a Ghanaian hat on his birthday in the 1960s. Councillor Adamson wore his 40 year old Ghanaian hat during his speech.

The High Commissioner in his speech thanked the Ghanaian community for inviting him and also communicated greetings and best wishes from President Mills.

Prof. Danso-Boafo updated all gathered on developments in Ghana assuring them that the government was on course to deliver the “Better Ghana Agenda”. He urged Ghanaians to continue to be law-abiding, lift high the flag of Ghana and do their best to encourage investors to Ghana.

Prof. Kwaku Danso-Boafo reiterated to all, the High Commission’s commitment to its duty and responsibility to serve Ghanaians irrespective of their political affiliation, ethnicity, religion, and regional origin.

On the same day in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and London, officers from the Ghana High Commission in London joined other Ghanaian associations to celebrate ....Ghana’s independence anniversary.

On Saturday 19th March, the High Commissioner joined Ghanaians in Luton to celebrate the independence anniversary in a grand and patriotic style.

The 54th independence celebrations were rounded off with a community thanksgiving service on Sunday 20th March at the Kensington United Reformed Church in London. The service was officiated by Rev. Sylvanus Tetteh, Fergus Owusu- Boateng, Canon George Ansah and Dr Lawrence Tetteh.

Watch full length videos of the celebrations on GHC-TV on the Ghana High Commission UK website, www.ghanahighcommissionuk.com

Source: EMH

5th April 2011