Ghanaians resident in Canada have been advised to play an active role in the work of the nine-member Constitutional Review Commission, inaugurated by His Excellency the President of Ghana Prof. John Evans Atta Mills. This call was made by His Excellency Dr. Richard Turkson, Ghana’s High Commission to Canada. H.E. Dr. Tuckson was speaking at a community picnic organized by Ghanaians living in Montreal, Quebec to commemorate the 50th Republic Day Celebrations of Ghana and the 4th Ghana-Canada Day held at Howard Park in Montreal.



H.E. Dr Turkson met and established dialogue with leaders of Ghana Canada House Inc., an umbrella organization of Ghanaian Associations in Montreal, citizens of Ghana, other various Ghanaian Associations, leaders of main Ghanaian political parties in the Diaspora, the NDC, NPP and CPP, the youth and community leaders. He took the opportunity to explain the operations of the Ghana High Commission in Canada to the audience.



Welcoming the High Commissioner and the community to a colorful community picnic, Mr. Yakubu Amadu, President of Ghana Canada House Inc., reiterated the call for Ghanaians in Montreal and elsewhere to join hands together to build a better community. He said Ghana House will continue to work to achieve the aspirations of the Ghanaian community Montreal despite the numerous challenges facing it. In that spirit, he appealed to Ghanaians to assist Ghana House in her efforts to make the Ghanaian community stronger among other communities here in Montreal.

His Excellency Dr. Richard Turkson lauded the work of the House, as well as, the work other Ghanaian Associations across Canada are doing in building the Ghanaian community here in Canada. He also praised the leaders, elders and the youth for lifting high the flag of Ghana far away from home. He gave the High Commission’s commitment and pledged his support in working together with the Ghanaian associations to achieve the mission for which he was posted to Canada.

On remittances, H.E. Dr. Turkson on behalf of the government and people of Ghana thanked Ghanaians in Canada as well as other Ghanaian in the Diaspora for the support for their families back home through remittances. He said these remittances have gone a long way in assisting government and advise Ghanaians to continue to use legitimate means to send money home.

He further advised Ghanaians living in Canada to endeavour to register with the High Commission to enable the commission compile a database of Ghanaians living in Canada.

Dr. Turkson informed the community of the nine-member Constitutional Review Commission. He said the exercise is an important effort to further deepen constitutional and democratic rule in Ghana. He provided detailed contact information on the review commission and appealed to Ghanaians to join the exercise. He said the review commission, as part of its strategy to reach every Ghanaian everywhere, will be holding a public forum in Toronto very soon. He encouraged Ghanaians living in Toronto to attend the forum in their numbers when the date and time is announced.

His Excellency Dr. Turkson recapped the vision of the High Commission under his leadership as follows:

• To work relentlessly with Ghanaians resident in Canada to bring investments to Ghana in order to create the needed jobs and to empower the youth and women with the view to eliminating poverty.

• To actively search for interested Canadian partners to assist Ghana in all sectors of the economy.

• To search for opportunities in valued-added agro-processing.

• To explore access to Canadian markets for non-traditional Ghanaian goods.

• To actively protect and promote the image of Ghana as a tourist and investment destination in a heaven of peace, stability and good governance.

Earlier at public forum to discuss the concerns of Ghanaians in Montreal, the High Commissioner assured Ghanaians that his outfit is working hard to re-open the Honorary Consulate in Montreal. His Excellency Dr. Turkson was accompanied by the Minister-Counsellor, Mr. Kwadwo Addo.

Click the following links to view the photos of the event:

http://ahemforadio.com/blog/

http://ahemforadio.com/blog/wp-admin/upload.php

Report by Charles Nkansah