Ambassador launches project to reconnect Ghana to Diaspora

From Kweku Osei Bonsu, GNA Special Correspondent, London

London, July 08, GNA - Mr. Annan Cato, Ghana's High Commissioner, United Kingdom, has told the Ghanaian media to do away with the kind of propaganda that ridicules the political leadership and office holders. They should instead focus on assisting to create a more positive image for the country, which all would be proud of.

The Ambassador made the call at the launch of the Joseph project, an initiative by the Government that seeks to reconnect Ghana with Africans in the Diaspora in London.

Mr. Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, was present to perform the ceremony, attended by a cross-section of the Ghanaian community in the UK, most of them media practitioners.

The High Commissioner expressed disquiet about what he said were falsehoods and negative news reports being disseminated on the internet, noting that, these could be avoided if journalists would seek clarification of issues they did not understand with the appropriate officials.

"Our office exists to clarify and to provide information, so please come to us when confronted with matters you do not understand". Mr. Cato said, irrespective of political affiliation, it was imperative for all Ghanaians to accept to push forward the national development agenda.

Touching on Ghana-UK relations, he said this had served the two countries well and that during his tenure, everything would be done, not just to consolidate the relations, but to explore other avenues to speed up the pace of Ghana's socio-economic progress.

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamaptey said the idea of the Joseph Project was to reach out to and to bring back the skills and resources of the Africans in the Diaspora to aid the development of the continent. He noted that the civilisation, wealth and economic growth of Europe and the Americas were powered by Africans, saying, "nobody should be in doubt that we can do it, if we decide to".

The Minister said the continent could not be emancipated if Africans allowed it to continue to be treated as a scar on the conscience of humanity.

"We have an incredible strength that must be harnessed to re-establish our pride".

Mr. Obetsebi-Lamptey said the Project was about education of Africans outside the continent to re-introduce them into their culture. Ghana, he said was determined to build a welcoming environment, take the lead and work with all Africans to emancipate the continent. Mr. Andrews Awuni, Press Secretary and Presidential spokesperson, said Africa could not expect its sons and daughters outside to return if it continued to be painted black through negative propaganda.