Ambassador meets Okwahuman Assoc. Exec.

A 3-member delegation of Switzerland-based Ghana Okwahuman Association paid a courtesy call on the Newly appointed Ghana Ambassador to Switzerland/Austria, Dr Kwame Bawuah-Edusei as his office in Bern. The delegation was headed by the Association's President, Dr. Abena Keller-Agyepong, and a Psychoanalyst. Other members were Mr Kwaku Boatin, a political analyst and vice president of the association, and Mr. Seth Mireku, assistant organiser of the Association.

Dr. Keller-Agyepong in a short address outlined the role of the Okwahuman association, which among others, is currently focused on health and educational needs and development of Kwahu traditional area.

The association she explained also embraces all programmes that may benefit the Ghanaian society as a whole, adding: " the association has already embraced the Ghana Health Insurance Scheme that its members continue to donate voluntarily to its Insurance fund, a programme designed to support less privilege to have access to health insurance and adequate medical care.

She said the association has already embraced Ghana health Insurance Scheme, and hinted that its members continue to donate voluntarily to support farmers and less privileges to have access to health insurance and adequate medical care, adding the present cash/carry health system have its negative effect.

Dr. Keller announced that the association plans to raise funds in support of Ghana government's Medical Insurance programme to help give insurance cover to the less privileged in the Kwahu district and also announced setting-up Okwahuman Educational Trust Fund, a programme aimed at raising standard of education in Kwahu district. She appealed to Swiss public and other entrepreneurs to contribute generously to the fund.

The Ambassador, in a reply opined that while Ghana's investment policies continue to be one of the world's best in area of flexibility and described by entrepreneurs as the most favourable, with its inherent provisions of trained manpower and technology and also available logistics, "our priority should be economy, economy" to accelerate the pace of development.

He assured splinter Ghana Associations in Switzerland that his term of office would be dedicated to effective coordination, support and cooperation to facilitate the achievement of their set goals and objectives.

The Ambassador noted that formation of Associations with positive focus is quite encouraging, and re-emphasised that all successful projects embarked by different associations regardless of the traditional area that receives it, goes to benefit and empower Ghana as a nation.

He urged the associations to close their ranks, while emphasising the need for formation of an umbrella organisation, which he believed would promote effective mobilisation, coordination and co-operation between the Embassy and all Ghanaians living in Switzerland.

On behalf of the association, Dr. Keller -Agyepong later presented to the Ambassador a metal mixed-cast of a "flying dock", with a citation as a symbol of hope, peace and prosperity.