A special appeal to raise funds for the procurement of vital tools and gadgets for the Ghana Police Service has been launched in Manchester by the Ghana High Commission.

Under the fund, dubbed “Five Pounds No Balance”, every Ghanaian in the UK would be encouraged to make a voluntary contribution of at least five pounds towards the purchase of the gadgets.

The fund, which would be administered by representatives of the Mission and community associations, is the first in a series of yearly fund-raising projects to be adopted by Ghanaians in the UK.

The scheme was also launched at various events held over the weekend by Ghanaian community associations at Reading, Milton Keynes and in London.

Represented at the events were the Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Mr. Adolphus Arthur, Minister/Head of Chancery, Mr. Peter Yankey, Minister/Welfare Consular Affairs and Mr. Martin Quansah, Minister(Political and Economic).

A minute silence was observed at the various events in memory of the immense contributions of key stalwarts of Ghana’s Independence struggle especially the Big-Six.

H.E. Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana’s envoy in the UK told enthusiastic Ghanaians in Manchester at a buffet dinner dance held as part of the 46th Independence Anniversary celebration that the special contribution would help supplement Government’s effort aimed at making the Ghana Police one of the best on the continent.

Present at the event were Mr. F. Fritz Andoh, Minister Counsellor/Information, Mr. Yaw Wilson Obeng, First Secretary (Administration), Mr. Lawrence Aniteye, and Mrs. Florence Otoo, Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively of the Association and representatives of societies in and around Manchester.

Mr. Osei urged Ghanaians to complement the efforts of the Big Six by working hard to ensure that their painstaking efforts would not be in vain.

He said “even though we sought and secured the political kingdom, all other things have not been added”. He said under President Kufuor’s leadership, Ghanaians have a real opportunity to work hard, create wealth and enjoy the peace and prosperity our founding fathers envisioned.

He asked all Ghanaians to avoid divisive tendencies, move ahead as one people with a common destiny and strive to leave footprints for the future generations.

Mr. Osei stressed that the Government of the New Patriotic Party on its part would continue to keep faith with the people as a responsible Government dedicated to ensuring a free society united in its quest for socio-economic advancement.

He pointed out that the broad decisions so far taken by the Government were meant to put the country on a path of progress and prosperity and enable Ghanaians to be masters of their own destinies.

The Chairman of the Association Dr. Lawrence Aniteye praised the Mission for regularly keeping in touch with Ghanaians outside London and promised to galvanise support for the appeal fund.