Independence Day Message from Philippines

NATIONAL DAY OF GHANA TODAY (manila times)

March 6, 2012, 12:24am

GHANA celebrates its National Day today, highlighted by street dancing and spectacular fireworks.

Located in West Africa, Ghana is bordered to the west by Cote d’Ivoire, to the north by Burkina Faso, to the east by Togo, and to the south by the Gulf of Guinea. The term Ghana which literally means “Warrior King” was taken from the Ghana Empire.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, European powers set foot in Ghana due to the country’s gold resources. Thus the Portuguese called the country Elmina, which means “the mine” while the British referred to it as the Gold Coast. To this day, gold mining contributes significantly to government revenue. Ghana achieved independence from Britain in 1957, making it the first sub-Saharan nation to do so.

Compared to its West African neighbors, Ghana has a much stronger economy, almost double in terms of per capita output of the poorer countries in the region. Well endowed with natural resources, Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world. It is home to Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world. The country is one of the top producers of gold. Its major exports include timber, diamond, electricity, bauxite, natural gas, crude oil, and manganese.

We greet the people and government of Ghana led by Their Excellencies, President John Evans Atta Mills, Vice President John Dramani Mahama, Parliament Speaker Joyce Bamford-Addo, and Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood, and its Consulate in the Philippines headed by Consul Ramon Z. Abad, on the occasion of its National Day. We wish them all the best and success in all their endeavors. MABUHAY!