GHANAIANS IN LEBANON CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

It was all smiles and more Ghanaian local music, with plenty dancing as Ghanaians in Lebanon took their turn to celebrate the 50th Independence Anniversary. The occasion was very colourful as everybody was seen in the traditional Kente cloth and other traditional Ghanaian attire.

The Ghana Flag was also on display, bringing the numerous Ghanaians based in Beirut together under one cause – Ghana. In attendance was HE Mr Michel Haddad, Ghana’s Honorary Consul General to Lebanon, The Commanding Officer of the Ghana Contingent in Lebanon, Lt Col EW Kotia and the Chiefs and Queens representing the various Ethnic Groupings in the Country. Each group displayed their traditional drumming and Dancing to the delight of the other non-Ghanaians who were present at the ceremony. The Akans, The Ewes and the Northerners were at their best.

In a welcome address, the Chairman of the Ghanaian Community in Lebanon, Mr Albert Arthur, commended HE Mr Michel Haddad for the fatherly role he has played over the years and continue to play in bringing all Ghanaians together. Mr Arthur added that Ghanaians now in Lebanon feel at home even though they may be far from home and attributed that to the efforts of Mr Haddad. He advised his colleagues to be law abiding and stay away from illegal activities that would go against the laws of Lebanon.

On his part, HE Mr Michel Haddad, Ghana’s Consul General to Lebanon congratulated Ghana for achieving this success and paid tribute to the fore-fathers of Ghana, especially Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Dr JB Danquah and the rest who struggled for the Independence of Ghana. He congratulated HE President John Agyekum Kufuor on the occasion of the country’s 50th Independence Celebrations. Mr Michel Haddad added that Ghana continues to remain a tail blazer in Africa with relative peace in a region of conflict. He therefore advised all Ghanaians to be proud of the country’s achievements and pray that such peace would continue to be enjoyed.