Accra, March 5, GNA- The 2004 Commonwealth Week celebrations was launched in Accra on Friday with an appeal to member-states to help address the imbalance between the rich and the poor, and to strengthen the foundations for global solidarity.

The celebration, under the theme, "Building a Commonwealth of Freedom" is a reminder that freedom is one of the founding principles of the organisation.

Activities lined up for the weeklong celebration from March 5 to 12, include JSS inter-schools quiz and a "What Do You Know" programme for Senior Secondary Schools (SSS) on the Commonwealth, Television and Radio discussions, and an Exhibition.

Mr. Akwasi Osei-Adjei, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs who launched the programme said a country could not achieve long-term growth if its citizens were not free to play their full part in the democratic process.

He said " We must make sure freedom works for growth, and make growth works for freedom," adding that the government and people of Ghana were determined to uphold the principles and values of the Commonwealth.

Mr. Osei-Adjei said the Commonwealth had achieved a lot in terms of promoting democracy and good governance by observing elections, fighting terrorism, assisting member-countries to manage their debts, and promote youth enterprise among others.

Nana Oye Lithur, Co-ordinator of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), said Commonwealth Day gives member-states the opportunity to express their commitment to the organization's ideals, and work for the good of each state.

She said 1.8 billion Commonwealth families throughout 54 countries in the world would be celebrating the day to reflect on the commitment they had made as a Commonwealth family, to ensure democracy, national self-determination, individual liberties and human rights.

Nana Oye said Ghana government, the High Commissions of Malaysia, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Nigeria and India, the British Council and CHRI were supporting the programme to make it a success. As part of the programme, a quiz competition was organized for the Ridge Church School, De Youngsters International, Aggrey Memorial, Achimota Primary and Providence schools, with the Ridge Church School emerging the winners with a cash prize of 700,000 cedis and a set of books.