Launching of Ghana's Golden Jubilee Celebrations in Canada

The program which took place at the premises of the mission in Ottawa saw presentations of the Ghanaian Canadian community in Ottawa, the Association of Ghanaian students in Ottawa and some Ghanaian Canadian NGOs in Ottawa.

Also present at the function were the staff at the High Commission and Africast TV/Movie.

In a brief address, the Ghana's High Commissioner to Canada, H.E. Mrs. (Dr.) Margaret I. Amoakohene recalled Ghana's colonial history and mentioned the importance of the country's achievement of independence from British colonial rule on March 6, 1957.

She said that Ghana has had the distinction of being the first Sub-Saharan African country to have gained independence. This position has, in the past and even today, placed a lot of responsibility on the country as a trailblazer in the struggle for independence for the emancipation of other African countries.
According to the High Commissioner, the Golden Jubilee and preparations towards its celebration have evoked a lot of excitement at both the national and diasporan levels. The anniversary is being marked with a yearlong programme of activities under the theme "Ghana: Championing African Excellence". The theme highlights Ghana's leadership role in Africa's liberation as well as important landmarks in the nation's evolution since independence towards attaining middle-income status by 2015.
Ghana's leadership role in Africa can be traced to the enormous support it provided to liberation movements across the continent during the regime of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana's first President.
H.E. Mrs. (Dr.) Amoakohene pointed out that Ghana is an active member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), La Francophonie, and the African Union of whose Peace and Security Council it is also a member. Ghana's mediatory role in Africa has included providing a platform for dialogue among warring factions, and refuge for people fleeing from conflicts and wars in their own countries. Furthermore, Ghana continues to contribute immensely to the maintenance of international peace and security both through its membership of international bodies and also through its contribution to peacekeeping operations.
Moreover, in recent times the appointments of Mr. Kofi Annan to serve two complete terms as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ghana's President J.A. Kufuor to the chair of the African Union, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas to the Presidency of the ECOWAS Commission, and Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah as Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organization (CTO), among others, testify to Ghana's international recognition.
The High Commissioner called on Ghanaians, both at home and abroad, to join in the celebrations. In this regard, Ghana's Diplomatic Missions abroad have been mandated by government to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in ways that project Ghana's rich culture, traditions, and economic potential. Consequently, the Mission in Ottawa, in collaboration with various Ghanaian-Canadian Communities and Associations, including students throughout Canada, will undertake several activities.
She concluded her remarks by thanking the Canadian Government for its strong support for Ghana's political and economic development. "Relations that have existed between our two countries over past 50 years have been enviable and I consider my tenure as High Commissioner an opportunity to further deepen these relations," she said.
The program of activities marking Ghana's Golden Jubilee in Canada include the following:
Ottawa, Ontario
Saturday, March 3rd, 2007 – Youth Programme
Tuesday, March 6th, 2007 – Reception & Banquet (with Cultural Dancing, Expose and Documentary on Ghana
Montreal, Quebec
Saturday, March 10th 2007 – Dinner/Dance preceded by Documentary Presentation, Cultural Expose, Arts & Crafts Exhibition
Toronto, Ontario
Saturday, March 3rd 2007 – Seminar on "Ghana, Then and Now The Diaspora Connection"
Tuesday, March 6th 2007 – Flag-Raising Ceremony & Reception at Queens Park
Saturday, March 17th 2007 – Durbar of Chiefs & Celebration of Children
Saturday, March 31st 2007 – Dinner/Dance
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Saturday March 17th 2007 – Reception/Banquet with theme "Health in Ghana" Focusing on Neuro Science Centre, Korle Bu Hospital
Regina, Saskatchewan
Saturday, March 5th 2007 – Gala Event featuring Dance/Dinner with focus on Korle Bu Neuro Science Project, Keynote Speaker: High Commissioner, Topic: "Significance of Ghana's Independence on Africa
Edmonton, Alberta
Saturday, March 10th 2007 – Cocktail & Dinner
Calgary, Alberta
Friday, March 16th 2007 – Symposium & Showcasing Ghana's Culture, Business & Tourism Potential
Saturday, March 17th 2007 – Reception & Banquet
Vancouver, British Columbia
Friday, March 23rd 2007 – Symposium "Ghana/Canada Relations in the last 50 years, What next?
Saturday, March 24th, 2007 – Dinner/Dance