Ghana’s new High Commissioner to Canada, Mr. Samuel Arthur Odoi Sykes 70, presented his Letters of Commission to the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency Adrianne Clarkson at Rideau Hall, Ottawa on Wednesday February 27, 2002. The High Commissioner and his wife Edith, escorted by an RCMP vehicle arrived at the Main Entrance of Rideau Hall at 9.40 A.M and were greeted by Mr. Richard Kohler, Chief of Protocol who escorted them to Rideau Hall.

At exactly 9.45 A.M. His Excellency Odoi Sykes accompanied by his wife Edith were ushered into the ornate “Large Drawing Room” on the East Wing of the Governor General’s Residence. He was introduced to the Governor General by the ADC, Col. Redburn.

The Governor General welcomed the High Commissioner and recalled the recent successful visit of President J. A Kufour to Canada emphasizing the warm relationship that exists between Canada and Ghana. She expressed the hope that the new High Commissioner will work hard to strengthen these positive bonds. Mr. Odoi Sykes then presented his Letters of Commission to the Governor General.

At the end of the short but impressive ceremony Col. Redburn and two RCMP Sentries escorted the High Commissioner, his wife Edith and Government Representative Mr. Jean Ouellet, Director of the West and Central Africa Division, Ministry of External Affairs to the Long Gallery in the Centre Section of Rideau Hall for a Reception which was also attended by the new High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Moshin Ali Khan and the High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Molelekeng Rapolaki who has also presented their Letters of Commission.

Present at the Reception were the Honorary Consul General of Ghana, Dr. Martin La-Kumi, Eric Odoi Anim, Head of Chancellery at the Ghana High Commission, Ottawa, as well as other staff from the Mission including Elizabeth Afua Benneh, Counsellor, Edward Quansah, 1st Secretary, Mrs. Christina Adjetey, 3rd Secretary, and Mrs. Carol Acheampong, Consular Assistant.

Also in attendance from Toronto were Napoleon Obiri-Asare who was visiting from Australia, Charles Agyei-Amoamah, Chairman of the Toronto Chapter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Asante Nimako and Roy Duodu-Sarpong,