Ghana@50: New Zealand

GHANAIANS IN NEW ZEALAND LIFT UP THE GHANA FLAG TO COMMEMORATE 6 MARCH

In a dawn ceremony today, 6 March 2007 (NZT), Ghanaians in New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland, hoisted the Ghana Flag on the famous Auckland Harbour Bridge. In a setting reminiscent of the Millennium celebration that cut across the world, they became the first Ghanaians to welcome the most significant day in our nation’s calendar. The leaders of the community that made it to the top of the bridge, sang the Ghana national anthem and the national patriotic song, Yen ara Y’asase ni as the flag was raised with the help of staff from Transit New Zealand, operators of the Harbour Bridge. In an impressive remark to mark the occasion, the president of the Ghanaian Association, Mr Peter Mensah, echoed the sentiments of all when he stated how proud we are as Ghanaians to see this day marking the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Ghana.

In a press release by the Ghana High Commission in Canberra to mark the day, Ghana’s President and Chair of the African Union, H.E. Mr John Kufuor, has thanked the Government and people of New Zealand for their support, especially in the area of education, as his country marks 50 years of nationhood. Ghana, formerly the Gold Coast, became the first sub-Saharan African colony to achieve independence from colonial rule on 6 March 1957.

Ghana’s High Commissioner in Canberra, H. E. Mr Kofi Sekyiamah said “Our two countries have also co-operated in many areas and in many fora, including the Commonwealth and indeed young Ghanaian s still see New Zealand as a place for quality education.

The Ghana@50 celebration in New Zealand continues with a grand festival scheduled on Saturday 17 March 2007 to commemorate Ghana’s landmark achievement as the first country in Black Africa to attain independence from colonial rule and to look forward to the future. Those expected at this august occasion include a Maori Kapa Haka group, representing the Tangata Whenua (People of the land) of New Zealand, a delegation led by the Ghana High commissioner, H.E. Mr. Kofi Sekyiamah, NZ Government ministers, the Auckland Mayor, Ghanaian performers from both New Zealand and Australia and a host of others. The New Zealand celebration is expected to add to the glitz and glamour that Ghana, our beloved country is basking in around the world. Meanwhile the Ghana Flag flies at the very end of the earth and we are proud Ghanaians.

God bless Ghana.

Charles Ampomah-Dwamena