British Monarch addresses Parliament

Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain, Ireland and the Head of the Commonwealth, on Monday addressed Parliament and said her visit demonstrates the importance "my country attaches to our relations with the people of Ghana".

The Queen, who arrived on Sunday, on a three-day visit, said, "it would be exactly 38 years ago tomorrow" since she first visited Ghana.

She noted that much has changed since then but the country's celebrated reputation for hospitality has remained.

"Prince Philip and I have been most touched by the warmth of the welcome we have been given. We are delighted to be back".

The British Monarch recalled her first visit in 1961 and said during her stay, Ghana's first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, predicted that no matter how strong the winds of change in Africa might blow, they would never loosen the bonds of affection between the two countries.

"I believe that, a generation later, the ties between us are stronger than ever", she said. The Queen, impeccable in a multi-coloured attire, a pink hat, white gloves and white shoes to match, and accompanied by President Jerry John Rawlings, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings and Vice- President John Evans Atta Mills, was ushered into the chamber by the Speaker, Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan.

The Queen said it is not only in politics that Ghanaians are making 'valuable and dynamic' contribution to Britain adding that Ghanaians are to be found in the professions, the arts and are using their entrepreneurial flair in the British economy to great advantage.

She noted that there are about 200,000 British citizens of Ghanaian descent living in the United Kingdom, including one of "my Ministers, who was born in Ghana, indeed his father was a Minister in the Government here when I visited in 1961".

The Queen said the ties between the two counties, dating back two centuries, are founded not simply on personal connections and history, but on common interests.

The Queen said the composition of Ghana's Parliament demonstrates that the country has embraced the concept of pluralism in its politics, saying, "the people of this country have been in the forefront of the renaissance in Africa, of democratic values".

"Next year, your President, who has led you through these momentous changes, will reach the end of his second term.

"His successor will be chosen freely and fairly by the Ghanaian electorate", adding that the election itself demonstrates the political change and freedoms, which the country now enjoys. "Mr Speaker, an open society, a free media, a truly independent judiciary and a democratically chosen, accountable executive, provide the conditions under which, the equality of opportunity, initiative and a stable society can flourish.

"I am pleased to be able to applaud Ghana's achievements here in your Parliament, and look forward to a successful future for our two countries as we move forward into the 21st century. The Queen said the United Kingdom is Ghana's most significant trading partner and best exporter customer, and British investment in the country far surpasses that of any other industrialised nation.

She said the United Kingdom's bilateral assistance of 40 million pounds sterling annually, supports government's priorities in a number of sectors, with the primary objective of bringing development to those most in need.

The Queen said the two countries have co-operated closely in the field of conflict resolution. She commended Ghana's role in the provision of troops to the ECOMOG Force in Sierra Leone, where, as in Liberia, they made "a valuable contribution to the international effort to bring peace to that unhappy land".

"That vital effort is but one example of Ghana's long and distinguished history in international peacekeeping and conflict resolution.

"Ghana is the fifth largest contributor to United Nations peacekeeping forces, and over the years, has served the interests of the international community in places as far apart as Bosnia, Cambodia and the Lebanon," she said.

Welcoming the Queen, Mr. Justice Annan said her visit is a highly significant occasion in Ghana's endeavours towards deepening the processes of participatory democracy.

The visit, he said, also provides further evidence of the strengthening of the bonds of friendship and co-operation between Ghana and the United Kingdom in the common efforts of the two countries to promote political, economic and cultural ties.

"We know that the United Kingdom governments have followed the chequered course of political and social events in our country over the years with keen interest and goodwill.

"Today, we celebrate with the United Kingdom, a new bond of friendship, a new commitment to development, peace, and prosperity in the pursuit of our common agenda for the realisation of true democracy.

"As we look forward to general elections next year, we can say with confidence that peaceful democratic succession of governments has indeed come to stay in Ghana," Mr Justice Annan said.

He said since the country returned to constitutional multi-party democracy seven years ago, the parliamentarians have not only taken their rightful place within the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), but more importantly, have played a significant role in the activities of the association.

"We have participated in all conferences and major seminars of the association and also hosted important programmes, including the recent Africa Region CPA conference.

"Indeed, Ghana currently chairs the Africa Region branch of the CPA," he said, adding, "as we in Ghana continue to nurture democracy, we shall also continue to work together within the Commonwealth family for the enhancement of the cherished values of good governance".

The Speaker acknowledged the substantial contribution and support the Parliament of Ghana has received from agencies of the British government, in building "our parliamentary administration and to make it strong and efficient in discharging its functions".

" I particularly note the assistance of the British Council and hope that this collaborative effort will continue in the coming years".

Among the large audience, were Ministers, members of the Judiciary, members of the Council of State, political party leaders, diplomats and chiefs.

In attendance was the Police Band, which livened up the occasion with some nostalgic highlife tunes.