....to the Five Pounds No Balance Appeal Fund
Ghana Union Middlesbrough has donated an amount of ₤1,100.00 to the Five Pounds No Balance Appeal Fund set up by the Ghana High Commission, London in March this year to solicit funds for the purchase of basic tools for the Ghana Police Service.

The presentation was made at the Annual General Meeting of the Union during which new officers were elected for the ensuing year.

By the donation, the Middlesbrough Union tops the table of donors for Ghanaian Community Associations in the UK. Second on the list is the Kwahuman Association (UK) with a donation of ₤500.00 while the Ghana Union in Chichester takes the third spot with a contribution of ₤410.00.

Speaking at the event which included Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner, Prof. Agyeman Badu Akosa, Director- General of the Ghana Medical Services, H.E, Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana High Commissioner to the UK thanked the Union for their contribution which, he said, had helped bring the overall collection to ₤13,920.01.

He called on other Unions and groups which had not made their contributions to follow the footstep of the Ghana Union, Middlesbrough.

On the retooling of the Police, Mr. Osei stated that the NPP Government believed that it was only in peaceful and stable environment that Ghanaians could live in peace and not in pieces.

He stressed that it was in that vein that the government had taken bold steps to re-equip the Police Service to enable it fulfil its duties efficiently.

The High Commissioner commended the Metropolitan Black Police Association for mobilising batons, handcuffs and raincoats for the Ghana Police Service.

Mr. Osei told the gathering that the government remained committed to safeguarding the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms, in keeping with its growing role as a peacemaker in the West African Sub region.

He emphasised the importance of forging a strong and solid union by eschewing divisive tendencies to enable them effectively cater for the Welfare and needs their members.

Turning to Ghanaians in the diaspora, Mr.Osei called on them to impart the time- tested Ghanaian values and norms to their children while making a conscious effort to communicate with their children in Ghanaian languages.

Proposing a toast to the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Sam Debrah, the re-elected Chairman of the Union pledged the determination of the members to continue to make contributions towards the development of Ghana.

The other office bearers of the Union elected were Dr. G. P. Bray, Vice-Chairperson, Mr. Kwame Ofosu,Secretary, Mrs. S. Bray, Treasurer, while Mrs. Sussie Debrah, Mrs. Alex Crabbe, Messrs Tom Wilberforce, James Adgogatse and Ernest Ahiaku were elected as executive members.