The Ghanaian community in the United Kingdom including those from Reading, Cambridge, Oxford and Manchester congregated in London to bid farewell to out-coming High Commissioner, His Excellency Isaac Osei and wife, Marian. Under the umbrella of His Excellency Hospitality Committee (HEHC) which comprised individuals and some community leaders, good-will messages and gifts were presented to them for varying compliments boarding on their positive tour of duty.

The party, one of the most well attended at the London Tottenham Leisure Centre saw, apart from the 40 social and ethnic representatives, leadership of the major political parties-the New Patriotic Party, National Democratic Congress and the Convention Peoples? Party as well as the Minister of Ports and Harbours, Prof. Ameyaw Akumfi, Ghana?s High Commissioner to Malaysia and former Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Nana Kwadwo Seinti and Nana Otuo Acheamong now of the National Petroleum Authority.

The bi-partisan nature of the gathering was not lost on the chairman of the occasion, Dr. Emmanuel Akuffo. He said it was so because the High Commissioner opened the doors of the Commission irrespective of social, political or ethnic identity of people. It was also because of his abiding affinity with the community that was why he was able to help raise ?27,000.00 for the police force in Ghana, ?50,000.00 for Korlu Bu Teaching Hospital and many others. The President of the Ghana Union, Ima Phalar expressed similar sentiments on behalf of the Ghanaian community and wished the High Commissioner and his family the best of luck in his new appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Cocoboad. His humility, he was sure would run through his new responsibilities.

The NDC chairman in United Kingdom, Alex Segbefia later on a London radio station commended the High Commissioner for his successful tour as did Atta ?Krufi, the NPP chairman in an interview with a High Commission?s staff writer. Thanking the Community for giving him the necessary cooperation without which he could not have done much, Mr. Isaac Osei expressed the wish that the same would be given his replacement, Mr. Annan Cato. He described him as a seasoned public official who until recently served as Secretary to the Cabinet. While they wait for his arrival, they should, as his parting advice ?focus on things that unite us a Ghanaians rather than the things which have a tendency to divide us.?

By this, he asked people to, if possible, ?do all your shopping at the Ghanaian shops, use Ghana travel tour agencies, Ghanaian lawyers and doctors. When we support Ghanaian businesses, we strengthen them and they in turn strengthen our community.?

Ghanaian family values which should be held in esteem would in the thinking of the out-coming High Commissioner help in the realisation of these. ?The Ghanaian family?, he reckoned, ?is the bedrock of our country because the values, norms and mores of our society are transmitted to our children and succeeding generations by parents in a family.?

As he received standing ovation for his last major speech and also thanked the HEHC whose chairman is, Bishop Frimpong Manso, his wife, Marian Osei, described by many at the function as the supporting machine, was bestowed with gifts on behalf of the family; among them a boutique by Nana Kyerewa Amponsah, a member of HEHC who also led them to cut a ceremonial cake.

A week before this, Baroness Amos, Leader of the British House of Lords had graced the annual children?s? party instituted by Mrs. Osei at the Highgate Office of the High Commission. Varying presents were given to winners of competitions and funds raised for charity work in Ghana.

One other event, a special private initiative-Ghana-U.K. Goodwill Ball preceded this. It was organised by The Finest! Production, an advertising, public relations firm in honour of the out-coming High Commissioner and wife for their good services.