Ghana marks Commonwealth Day

Accra, March 12, GNA - Ghana on Monday called for efforts to pre-empt and minimize the occurrence tensions in the world through the active engagement of governments, individuals and civil society organizations.

She said these must work in tandem for conflict prevention and resolution towards the building of peaceful and harmonious communities. This was contained in a statement issued in Accra by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and NEPAD to mark Commonwealth Day, which falls on Monday, March 12.

The Ministry said the theme: "The Commonwealth - Respecting Differences, Promoting Understanding" reflected both the uniqueness of the organization and one of the most fundamental challenges facing humankind. These were how, within societies and between nations, the people of a globalised world could live together in peace, security and harmony.

The Ministry noted that during the last Commonwealth Summit in Malta in November 2005, the leaders saw this as a multi-faceted global problem.

"Some of the problems confronting our world include marginalization, exclusion and poverty; terrorism and extremism; ethnic, religious, cultural and political differences; inequality and injustice. "History teaches us that all these issues, if not addressed with the requisite sensitivity and discernment, could contribute to inter-communal tensions and conflict.

"Efforts to pre-empt and minimise the occurrence of these tensions require the active engagement of governments, individuals and civil society organisations."

The Ministry said the government was working strenuously towards the creation of an inclusive society where each individual had ample opportunity for self-realization.

"We attach great importance to education not only for the acquisition of knowledge but for the positive values that people learn at school such as tolerance and non-discrimination," it added. The Ministry said Ghana, located in a region that had had more than its fair share of violent conflicts, had come to appreciate the enduring value of unity in diversity.

It said Ghana believed that the efforts she was making through effective policies of integration to eliminate the causes of social tensions and misunderstanding should constitute part of the best practices within the commonwealth.