To mark this year?s Ghana?s Independence Day celebration, the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC hosted the event with a grand reception at the Chancery auditorium on Thursday, March 4, 2004.

The occasion attracted a large number of people including members of the Diplomatic Corps, International organizations, US government agencies, and the Ghanaian community among others who were entertained with music by the Ozimzim Band and cultural performances by the Fritete African Drum and Dance Company of Washington DC.

In his keynote address, Ghana?s Acting Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Isaac Aggrey stated that this year?s reception was being held ahead of the actual date of March 6, which fell on a weekend.

He observed that March 4, held great historical significance since it was on that date in 1789 that the first session of the United States Congress, one of the pillars of American democracy convened.

For Ghanaians, he noted, the date closely identifies with our efforts to establish a system of democratic governance where the rights and freedoms of the individual are guaranteed under a constitution.

Mr. Aggrey stated that Ghana had witnessed three uninterrupted democratic elections since 1992, the third of which, for the very first time in the country?s history, brought a party in opposition, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its presidential candidate, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor to power through the ballot box.

He assured his audience of the government?s commitment to holding a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election this year to confirm Ghana ?s image as ? a island of peace and stability?, ?a model of democracy? and ? an investment destination?.

Mr. Aggrey said the government is still pursuing its policy of promoting economic freedom and empowerment of the individual to make wealth.

The goal, he noted, is to create an enabling environment for the realization of the ? Golden Age of Business? given to the private sector in the socio-economic development of the country.

Mr. Aggrey also applauded the progressive African leaders for their support in establishing peace, stability and security in the West African sub-region under the leadership of the current ECOWAS chairman, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor and added that a lot still remains to be done even though some successes have been achieved.

He commended the government and people of the United States for their tremendous support to Ghana and appealed for continuous assistance in order to expand Ghana-U.S bilateral relations to the benefit of the two countries and their people.