Ghana High Commissioner UK calls for peace

The Ghana High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo, has called on the Ghanaian community in the UK to eschew acts of violence and embrace peace. He said since the beginning of the year, between 6 and 8 Ghanaian children living in the UK had died as a result of violence and criminal activities.

Addressing the Ghanaian community over the weekend at this year’s ‘Party in the Park’, an annual event organised by Akwaaba UK, a promotion company, at Copthall stadium in North London, the Ghanaian High Commissioner urged the organisers to use such forums to get the youth together and get them out of violence, juvenile delinquency, knife and gun crimes, which he described as a menace to society.

Speaking to some thousands of Ghanaians living in the UK, Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo said “such festivals and gatherings should be used not just for drinking and dancing and the fun that comes with it, but be used also to unite all of us as Ghanaians”. He indicated that “we must all realise we are one people, from one country, one destiny with a common problem and not see ourselves as different groups”. Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo also stated that it’s about time the Ghanaian community came together and united beyond political lines and not engage in activities that have the potential to divide the people along political lines.

He announced that the doors of the Ghana High Commission are always open for them and that his outfit is always ready to cooperate with them to ensure that Ghanaians living in UK are united more then ever before and will treat everyone equal regardless of one’s political persuasions. He indicated that the High Commission has taken measures to minimise violence if not eradicate it completely among the Ghanaian community and ensure that Ghanaians living in UK would go about their duties with dignity and purpose, adding that his administration is committed to doing things differently to achieving the Better Ghana agenda.

The High Commissioner used the occasion to invite the members of the Ghanaian Community to a Youth Forum which the Ghana High Commission will be organising on October 2nd 2010 to identify the problems of the youth and develop a mentoring program. He therefore urged Ghanaian professionals with the requisite skills to support the event and serve as role models to the youth. He noted among other things that the Commission would collaborate with other Ghanaian professionals to assist the youth with their homework, visit them in their schools, meet with them occasionally and help them choose their career paths after graduation.

The Ghana High Commissioner Professor Kwaku Danso-Boafo further noted that “it’s worth living in peace than in pieces”.

Kofi Adu aka Agya Koo and some other artists treated the High Commissioner and the gathering to some good music, comedy and dance to climax the occasion.

Story by: Samuel Ablordeppey