The Medway Ghanaian Association (MGA) went on a historical tour of the UK House of Commons and Lords on the 17th of September 2012, upon the invitation extended to them by Member of Parliament for Gillingham and Rainham, Hon. Rehman Chishti.
The visit was historical, because it was an opportunity for most Ghanaians, Ghanaian descendants and British with Ghanaian heritage living in Medway and its surrounding towns to find out how the UK parliamentary system works. It was also an opportunity for members of MGA to meet for the first time a renowned Ghanaian Photographer and artist Mr James Barnor who attended the University College of Art in Rochester in the 1960’s and used to live in Medway.

The tour started at 11:30 GMT with the tour guide taking members of MGA to various rooms in the House of Commons and Lords and telling them the purpose for the rooms and the historical background of the room and artistic works of the rooms. Members on the tour were astounded when the guide told them that Ghana did present a desk to the UK House of Common as they were expecting something bigger than a desk due to the relationship between UK and Ghana.

At the end of the tour members of MGA met with the Hon. MP for Gillingham and Rainham, Rehman Chishti for a friendly discussion. Members wanted to know what encouraged the MP to go to parliament to which he answered and said he has always wanted to help people hence the reason to go to parliament. There were other questions such as the development of Medway, cutting of funding for NHS and voluntary organisation, cost of transportation in Medway and funding for new voluntary association like MGA. After the discussion MGA took the opportunity to invite the MP to their Black history month celebration which falls on the 27th of October 2012.

Report by Mr Kwashie Amartei Anang (Research Engineer)