The Ghana Union in Luton (GUL) has been inaugurated by Mr. Isaac Osei, Ghana?s High Commissioner to the UK.

GUL was formed over a year ago to promote the cultural, social and educational aspirations as well as safeguard the interest and welfare of its members. The Union, which is opened to all Ghanaians and friends of Ghana living in and around Luton, would also embark on programmes aimed at mobilising resources to support community-based projects in Ghana.

Present at the function were Hon. Kevin Hopskins, Member of Parliament for North Luton; Councillor Haji Abid, Mayor of Luton; Councillor Julian Wates, Deputy Mayor of Luton; Dr. Charles Buckman, a member of the Anti-Racial Committee of Milton Keynes and Mr. Ray Sowah, Retail Manager of the Ghana International Bank in London

The event, which attracted a cross section of Ghanaians living within the environs of the Luton, was interspersed with cultural displays by Osagyefo Theatre Group and the Children Cultural troupe of the Union.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Osei said the Government of Ghana recognised the monumental contributions Ghanaians domiciled abroad were making towards national development and expressed the hope that the trend would continue to grow in the future.

He commended efforts Ghanaian associations in the UK in particular were making towards the welfare of its members and urged them to endeavour to make positive contributions towards the development of the wider communities in which they operate.

?It is only when you involve yourselves actively in the affairs of your community that you will able to make a difference in the locality in which you live? he said.

High Commissioner Osei said it was incumbent on all members of the Association to put their shoulders to the wheel to ensure the success of the new Union because it could serve as a ?social shocker absorber in times of need.?

Mr. Nathaniel Acquah , Chairman of the Union, said GUL said the Union would play a positive and valuable role to further enrich the cultural diversity of Luton.

He announced that GUL would soon embark on programmes aimed at instilling traditional Ghanaian traditional values and culture in Ghanaian children born in Luton through the teaching of Ghanaian languages and dance.

Councillor Haji Abid was optimistic that the Union would foster unity and solidarity within the Ghanaian community in the area and help build a healthy, safer and friendly society in Luton.

Hon. Hopskins said in spite of the difficulties confronting African countries, Ghana which had always been at the forefront in African affairs, was making tremendous progress in its development process.

?Ghana is one of the most dynamic and successful countries in Africa and that is why so many African contries were trying to follow,? he added..