Ministers Update Ghanaians in Atlanta on 50th Anniversary

Ghana’s Minister for Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Hon. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey and the Deputy Minister for Information and National Orientation, Honorable Oboshie Sai Cofie were in Atlanta, Georgia last week, as part of a US tour to inform and update the Diasporan community of the upcoming 50th Anniversary celebration in Ghana.

The local organising committee of Ghana’s Golden Homecoming, who hosted the Ministers, brought together Ghanaians in the Atlanta area and African Americans who had visited Ghana before or had made Ghana their permanent homes. It was a hectic day of meetings with the business community of Atlanta during the day for the Ministers, which culminated in a town hall meeting at the Ghana Community Church in the evening in downtown Atlanta. Mr Ruben Darko a leader in the Ghanaian community gave a rousing welcome speech and also introduced the Deputy Minister for Information, Mrs Oboshie Sai Cofie. The Deputy Minister gave her opening remarks which highlighted what her Ministry was doing to prepare the grounds for a memorable 50th anniversary and also outlined the upcoming programs the Ministry of Information and National Orientation had for the nation with special emphasis on the reorientation of its citizenry in support of the upcoming celebrations. Reverend Lamptey, the head pastor of the Ghana Community Church opened the session with a prayer and introduced the Hon. Minister for Tourism and Diaspora Relations to the audience.

Hon. Obetsebi Lamptey gave a passionate speech that moved both the Africans in the Diaspora and the migrant Ghanaian community in the audience. He called for a concerted effort by all Ghanaians in the Diaspora and African Americans to make a historical trip to Ghana in March 2007 to commemorate Ghana’s Golden Independence Celebration. The Minister reiterated the significance of Atlanta and its unique similarities in the struggle for freedom during the 60s which mirrored Ghana’s quest for Independence. He further reminded the audience that the slain civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King was in Ghana in 1957 to celebrate the Independence declaration with Ghana and that history will repeat itself if all Atlantans present took this journey to Ghana in March 2007. During questions and answers session, the Deputy Minister for Information and National Orientation shed light on the proposed $20 million budget for the Independence celebration.

Mrs Sai Cofie explained that, it was a misconception that the proposed funding was simply being spent on a massive celebration. The Minister pointed out that the amount being talked about was set aside for much-needed structural development and a facelift in all the 10 regions of the country as part of the preparations for the Independence celebration. “Ghana will be 50 and it will require a bit of work to showcase it to dignitaries and the anticipated mass of people who will visit it”. She also emphasised that the proposed fund was especially earmarked for laudable projects such as closing of open sewers, gutters, provision of sanitary facilities, hospitality facilities for dignitaries among others and not just for the 6th March Day celebration only. She was quick to point out that these facilities would serve the Ghanaian populace for years to come, and that the projects and activities are planned to reach every Ghanaian in every nook and cranny of the motherland. Another participant at the town hall meeting also asked about the NAGRAT strike, and the Hon. Deputy Minister did assure the people that the government was doing everything possible to send teachers back to the classroom. She further confirmed that a comprehensive plan to restructure the salary levels was being considered by the government.

The Atlanta Chapter chairman of the NDC party, Mr. Amuzu, commended the government for passing the ROPAB bill into an Act but had questions on its implementation. He wanted to know if it was feasible for him and others to vote in 2008. The Hon. Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Honorable Jake Obetsebi Lamptey responded that the Electoral Commission had the mandate to deliberate and present to the government, the modalities and preparedness for the execution of the Act. The Electoral Commission has the authority on that decision and until its findings are made public, it is prudent to be patient, he said: The Minister added that he was happy Mr. Amuzu had commended the government on its good work with reference to ROPAB.