The Deputy Minister of Health Hon. Moses Dani Baah has expressed gratitude and appreciation of the Health Ministry to the Ghanaian community in Australia. In a statement read on his behalf at a fundraising extravaganza organised by the Ghana Association of New South Wales in aid of Ghanaian hospitals, the Deputy Minister paid special tribute to the Ghanaian community in Australia for lending a hand of support to the health sector at a time the government is grappling with problems of improving quality and access to health care for Ghanaians. He assured the Ghanaian community that the funds generated would be used for their intended purpose.

During the function, Ghanaians in the Australian State of New South Wales put up a colourful display of Ghanaian culture at the Paranoma House in Bulli Tops, Wollongong (80km from Sydney) on 24 August 2002 to raise funds to provide medical supplies for hospitals in Ghana. Nana Kofi Addo, the Asantefourhene of New South Wales and his elders featured the rich Ashanti chieftaincy culture. The Ewe Association of New South Wales also featured the Agbadza dance while the Ghana Association Cultural Group, led by Nana Ama Amanianmpong Agyeman-Badu treated the audience of about 400 to Adowa, Kpanlogo, Boborbor and other Ghanaian traditional dances.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Ghana High Commissioner Designate to Australia, His Excellency Dr. Barfour Adjei-Barwuah paid special tribute to Professor and Mrs. Baafi, the Ghana Association of New South Wales and all others who invested so much time, effort and resources into organising the fundraising function. The High Commissioner emphasized that the function was an index of the strong relationship between Ghana and Australia as well as a testimony to Australia?s confidence in Ghana and her future. The Deputy Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Mr. Alex Darling welcomed the audience to the city of Wollongong and Mr. Thomas Osei, President of the Ghana Association of New South Wales thanked individuals and companies for their donations. The Ghana Association of New South Wales has been an active participant in the economic development of Ghana, having on previous occasions donated medical supplies to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and also contributed to the Accra Stadium Disaster Fund. The Association is currently embarking on other initiatives to assist the development of information technology in Ghanaian schools in the form of computer supplies.

The Ghana Association of New South Wales wishes to thank the citizens of Wollongong and its environ and the Ghanaian community in Australia, for their participation in the fundraising extravaganza. Indeed, Ghana is greatly indebted to all of them. We hope their love and well wishes for Ghana will continue to flourish.