The massive turnout at the two receptions held at the Ghana Embassy in Washington D.C on March 6th to mark Ghana’s 50th Golden Jubilee was undeniably a day to remember.

The Chancery was filled to capacity with dignitaries, diplomats, government officials, business associates, friends of Ghana and Ghanaians.

The guests numbering over three thousand were entertained to live band music by Pat Thomas and Papa Shee amidst cultural performances and dance, and were treated to a lunch and a dinner buffet.

In his welcome remarks, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Kwame Bawuah-Edusei who read a statement from Ghana’s President, His Excellency John Agyekum Kufuor recalled the epochal strides made by Ghana as an Independent country

He expressed the Government’s appreciation to all who helped and participated in diverse ways to make the day a remarkable one stating that the celebration of Ghana’s Golden Jubilee was not meant for only Ghana but for the whole of Africa.

The Ambassador noted that “Africans who had been violated and subjugated through Slave Trade and colonialism on that fateful day, succeeded in breaking asunder, the chains of bondage”, therefore, March 6, 1957 changed tremendously, the outlook, the status and the role Ghana plays in the world.
The speech paid glowing tribute to Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his colleagues of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC), who he said, launched the last phase of the process towards Independence.
Ghana then became the gateway and an inspiration for many other African countries to fight for their independence adding that all of Africa as of today has political independence.
Touching on the African Union (AU), which was formed as a successor of the Organization of African Union (OAU) and which currently has Ghana’s President, His Excellency, John Agyekum Kufuor as its chairman, the statement noted that its focus on good governance, respect for human rights, sound economic management, vision for a union government for the whole continent, bose ample testimony to the fact that Africa was coming of age.
He urged all to continue to strive towards achieving excellence and concluded that, “the country’s destiny is with the most advanced in the human community, hence it is hoped that we approach the next fifty years with much clarity of vision and sustained rational steps, not forgetting our difficult past”.
The Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Carol J. Thompson, who represented the United States Government, traced the cordial relations between Ghana and the U.S back to the 1960’s when the Peace Corps volunteers first set foot in Ghana.
She noted that the bonds of friendship had been strengthened over the years to encompass various fields of cooperation, stressing that the assistance granted Ghana through the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) attested to the relationship between the two countries.
The celebrations, which kicked off with a seminar on Economic Emancipation and multicultural show on Monday night, featured the Ambassador of the Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor, George A. Obiozor, Dr. George B. N Ayittey, Economist at the American University and President of the Free Africa Foundation and Dr. K. Y Amoako former Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission For Africa and Member of the Commission for Africa.
The discussions focused more on Ghana’s political landmarks and socio economic development from the early days of Independence to the present time. The speakers urged all particularly, Ghanaians in the Diaspora to take advantage of the congenial economic atmosphere to invest in the various sectors in the country.
Program of activities scheduled for the week include, a Fashion Show and Medical Self Awareness Workshop, a Youth Night at Zanzibar, a Dinner Dance organized in conjunction with the Council of Ghanaian Association and a Unity Church Service on Sunday at the Howard University Law Center Chapel in Washington D.C