Ghanaians in Australia on the weekend kicked off the second phase of celebrations marking 60 years on Ghana’s independence from British colonial rule.

The Ghanaian community has set aside three weekends to celebrate what they believe are formidable achievements six decades after the natives were entrusted with leading Sub-Saharan Africa’s first colony to win self-government.

On the night of Saturday 25 February, members of the community gathered and began the celebrations with an inter-denominational church service at the Living Word Worship Centre, Merrylands, in Sydney.

Speaking at the event, Acting High Commissioner Samuel Kumah said that despite the many challenges still facing the country, Ghana had much to celebrate and gloat about.

“President Nana Akufo-Addo admitted that much during his recent State of the Nation Address to parliament. But there are numerous achievements, the president also pointed to.

“We’ve just emerged from a successful and peaceful general election, a feat lauded around Africa and the world”, he said.
Mr Kumah added that a sense of optimism is sweeping across Ghana, and he urged Ghanaians wherever they might be to get involved in the excitement to build a better Ghana.

He urged Ghanaians to take seriously the writing “Mobilising for Ghana’s Future” inscribed on the Ghana@60 logo as a call to arms to gather all resources to advance Ghana.

The president of the Ghana Association of New South Wales (the Australians state whose capital is Sydney) Ms Franklyn Naa Koshie McBruce said Ghanaians in Australia were eager to contribute their quota to build Ghana, and urged leaders of the country to work harder to serve the people better.
On the previous weekend, football fun matches were played in Sydney among members of the community.

The celebration will culminate in a black tie/kente dinner-dance on Saturday 11 March at the Liverpool Catholic Club in Sydney.