Diaspora News of Friday, 26 August 2005

Source: GHANA HIGH COMMISSION, LONDON

Director of C'wealth Foundations Calls on High Commissioner

The new Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, Dr. Mark Collins has paid a courtesy call on Ghana's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Isaac Osei.

He briefed him on his agenda for the Foundation and its adjustment to changing global situations.

Dr. Collins also expressed happiness about the acceptance of his strategic plan for the Commonwealth which would continue to create a feeling of a peoples' organisation.Part of the strategy, he said, would look up to building programmes and structures using civil society in the areas of government and democracy, sustainable development and culture and diversity.To help realise these, two new positions in the areas of communication and development would be added to the portifolio of the Foundation.

He also praised the High Commissioner for his personal contribution to the Commonwealth when he served as Chairperson of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Secretariat and said, by doing that, ''You have made the Commonwealth relevant and showd that the Commonwealth belongs to its people'' ( a reference to the High Commissioner's remark of the the Commonwealth 's importance.)

Dr. Collins also raised the need for the payment of yearly dues by members of the Foundation and the important role that small grants helped in the businesses of member countries.

On his part, Mr. Isaac Osei said because of its consultative status, the Foundation was significant. Apart from its grant facility, the High Commissioner suggested the expansion of the Foundation since it was likely to be accepted by decision makers.

Present at the meeting was the Minister Counselor-Information, Mr. Ivor Agyeman-Duah