A one-week photo exhibition on the work of Mr. James Barnor, the first Ghanaian photo journalist of Graphic Corporation and Drum magazine, has opened in Feltham, a suburb of London. SPECIAL PHOTO EXHIBITION ON GHANA OPENS IN LONDON On display were a wide array of portraits of prominent personalities including the visit of the legendary Muhammed Ali to Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, first President of the Republic of Ghana and members of his Cabinet, Mr. I.K. Acheampong former military ruler; Mr. Mike Eghan, as a young journalist at BBC and many other pictures depicting scenes from the early post independence era in Ghana. The event was organised by Mr. Barnor in conjunction with the Hounslow Older People's Council to mark his 75th birthday. The event was attended by Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana?s High Commissioner to the UK; Mr. Malhotra Seema, Labour candidate for the London Assembly for West London; Ms Gail Worthington Milner, Chairperson of Hounslow Older People's Council and Ms Rachel Pepper, a representative of Arton Arts Forum. Other dignitaries present were Mr. Anthony Smith, first Manager of Drum magazine in Ghana; Dr. Stephen Ofei of the Commonwealth Faculty of Research & Advanced legal Studies as well as representatives of Hounslow Sheltered Home Scheme and a cross section of the people of the London Borough of Hounslow. Opening the exhibition, Mr. Isaac Osei, observed that the fascinating collection graphically projects an important period in the history of the country and expressed the hope that the exhibition would help deepen the understanding and ties between the peoples of Ghana and Britain. He indicated that the government of Ghana was working fervently to create a conducive environment for the Ghanaian media to improve information delivery to enable ? them effectively tell the Ghanaian story?. Mr. Osei called on Ghanaian journalists to emulate the organiser?s example ?to assist in promoting the motherland in their own small way? The Ghanaian envoy praised the organiser of the exhibition for his vision and hoped that the zeal and commitment he had shown in his work would inspire Ghanaian media practioneers and spur them on to greater heights. On his part, Mr. Barnor, a keen promoter of Ghanaian arts, observed that the pictures constituted an invaluable component of our national heritage and called for a concerted effort to preserve such archival materials for the benefit of future generations. Mr. Barnor dedicated the exhibition to his teacher and mentor, Dr. Alfred Archampong, a prominent Accra based legal practioneer of blessed memory. The Brekete Cultural troupe thrilled the gathering to the splendid rendition of cultural music , dance and acrobatic display. The High Commissioner presented Mr. Barnor with a sculpture of a traditional Ghanaian horn blower and encouraged him to continue to portray Ghana in a good light. ISSUED BY THE GHANA HIGH COMMISSION, LONDON 15 JUNE 2004