Ghana applauded for its developmental efforts - Okyehene

The Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin II returned home on Friday after a three-week tour of the United States and Britain. Some divisional chiefs from Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area led by the Gyasihene, Nana Darkwa Woe II met the Okyenhene on arrival at the Kotoka International Airport.

Nana Amoatia told Journalists that the visit was successful, adding that Ghana was applauded for her developmental efforts and cultural diversity. He said he met with Senators and officials of health and environmental organisations as well as cultural promotion groups. Nana Amoatia mentioned that he discussed with them issues bothering on HIV/AIDS as well as educational promotion measures in Ghana.

He also paid a reciprocal visit to the Conservation International, a body responsible for environmental agency to find out how best it could assist Ghana in conserving the environment. Nana Amoatia and his entourage later visited Smithsonian Institution and discussed with its officials the need to include studies on museum and culture in the curriculum of schools in Ghana to promote tourism.

The delegation also visited the Black Entertainment Television, where they showcased Ghana's culture and also discussed with officials the need to hold a jazz festival in Ghana. They later paid a courtesy call on the UN-Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan and visited the US senate and met with some members.

In London, the entourage also called on Mr Paul Boateng, a member of the British Cabinet and also met with the Ghanaian community there. Nana Amoatia appealed to Ghanaians abroad to adopt children from deprived communities in the country and to assist them to further their education. He said national re-construction should be the collective responsibility of all Ghanaians and not government alone.

"It is the moral and social responsibility of all sons and daughters of our motherland including those abroad to give something back either as individuals or collectively through associations of their communities for the socio-economic transformation of the country," he stated.

Nana Amoatia urged members of the Akyem Abuakwa Community Associations to avoid petty squabbles and other divisive tendencies and to forge a stronger and united front towards the development of Okyeman and Ghana as a whole. Mr Fred Ofori Atta Asante, a member of the Council of State, Osabarima Awuah Kotoko II, Begorohene and Benkumhene of Akyem Abuakwa, Dr Jones Ofori Atta, Chairman of the Volta River Authority and the linguist Okyeame Asumeng Boadu, accompanied the Okyenhene.