The Ghanaian Association in Ottawa on Saturday March 6th 2010 held a dinner dance at the Jim Durrel Recreational Centre to celebrate the 53rd Independence of Ghana. It was a very well attended function with guests from other African communities.
The keynote speaker was His Excellency Dr. Richard Turkson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to Canada. He acknowledged the honor of the invitation to the function marking the 53rd Independence Anniversary of Ghana. He admonished Ghanaians in the diaspora to solemnly rededicate themselves to their duties as responsible citizens both to their host country Canada and to our dear country. He pledged that the Ghana Government will play its part in building the homeland.
The President of the Association, Mr. Kofi Twumasi Adjei gave his opening remarks. He talked about the struggles and achievements of the Association and urged all Ghanaians to participate in the activities of the association and also to pay their dues.
Early on Friday March 5th at the National Arts centre in Ottawa, The High Commissioner organized a reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps. Speaking in both English and French His Excellency Dr, Richard Turkson lauded the cordial historic relationship between Ghana and Canada, he noted that Canada has been one of Ghana’s long-standing partners. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is the longest-running African program (i.e. from 1957 to 2002). “We acknowledge the goodwill Ghana enjoys among Canadians which has translated into greater economic collaboration between our two countries. Our relations are very cordial and warm. It is appropriate on this occasion to express the appreciation of the Government and people of Ghana to the Government and people of Canada for the various forms of assistance Ghana has been receiving from Canada over the years”, he noted.
Expressing satisfaction and optimism on Ghana-Canada collaboration, Dr. Turkson noted with satisfaction the increase in the volume of Canadian investments in Ghana since 1994. Canadian investments are in the areas of engineering services, management consultancy, mining, geometrics, infrastructural development, finance, fisheries and health services. About 70 Canadian companies currently operate in Ghana.
The High Commissioner expressed the hope that Ghana can do with more investments from Canada given the vast opportunities especially in the area of food and agro-processing.
Touching on the discovery of oil, Dr. Turkson noted that this huge oil discovery calls for investments in the area of management services to build local capacity for the sector. The discovery of oil in commercial quantities in 2006, its projected production and export later this year add to Ghana’s optimism for 2010 and beyond. He therefore called on all potential investors to venture into Ghana’s promising economy, where better returns are assured.
On behalf of Government of Ghana the High Commissioner announced that Ghana has declared September, 21st a statutory public holiday in Ghana, to immortalize the country’s founder, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, whose birthday falls on that day. It was declared to mark the centenary of Dr. Nkrumah’s birthday. At the 13th Ordinary Summit of the African Union in Libya, the AU also adopted the centenary birthday celebration of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah as a continental event. This is to underscore the fact that five decades on, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah’s ideal of the “African Personality” and vision of a continental union still live on.
The High Commissioner also noted that outlook for Ghana in 2010 and beyond is promising given government’s intention to continue on the path of fiscal discipline and social policy initiatives as well as the active promotion of private sector development and competitiveness.
There was a cultural display by the Ghana Language School which earned thunderous ovation from the crowd. An All-white cultural group which goes by name Rattling Trotro also wowed the crowd with some cultural rhythms and dances. The ecstatic crowd joined the on the floor when they did a number of Kpalongo tunes and dances.
Some personalities with in the Ghanaian community were given awards in recognition of their outstanding services to the community. The MC for the night was Mr. Kusi Appiah.