Ghana’s Embassy In Mali Marks 56th Independence Anniversary

The Embassy of Ghana in Mali, led by its Ambassador, His Excellency Donald Adabere Adabre, has organised a formal reception in commemoration of Ghana’s 56th Independence anniversary on Wednesday, 6th March, 2013, in Bamako. The event, which was attended by some Ministers of State from the host government, witnessed the participation of some Senior Staff Officers of the Ghanaian Contingent to AFISMA who are presently in the country, led by their Commander, Col. Peter Kwame Ghansah.

In an address, His Excellency Donald Adabre stated that the mood of this year’s Independence celebration in Mali was gravely subdued because of the present difficulties the country was going through. He continued nonetheless, that Ghana took solace in the fact that with the support of the international community the country was on track to fully recover her territorial integrity and to gradually regain her enviable place as one of the formidable and exemplary democracies on the African continent.

His Excellency the Ambassador also underscored the fact that Ghana found it expedient to send soldiers to Mali in aid of a friendly country, even after having contributed troops to several peace-keeping efforts across the world and thereby spreading itself thin afield in countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, D.R. Congo, Darfur in Sudan, Somalia, Lebanon. According to him, Ghana’s gesture in that regard demonstrated the depth of cordiality existing between these two West African countries.

To his compatriots living in Mali, Ambassador Adabre entreated them to continue to remain law-abiding and to cooperate with the security agencies in ensuring peace and security in the various communities in which they lived. In admonishing the Ghanaians, His Excellency the Ambassador stated that ‘’while pursuing your legitimate businesses in Mali, continue to empathise with your host and to keep the country in your prayers because the peace and security of Mali invariably means your own peace of mind and safety’’, he added. He also urged them to take pride in the fact that their compatriots were deeply involved in ensuring that Mali regained her freedom, unity and territorial integrity.

In a related development, the Ghanaian Contingent to the African-led International Support Mission to Mali, in the morning of 6th March, 2013, organised a flag-raising ceremony in commemoration of Ghana’s 56th Independence anniversary. The Guest of Honour for the brief but impressive ceremony was His Excellency the Ambassador, who reminded the contingent of their obligation to safeguard the golden seeds of nationhood and democracy which had begun some 56 years ago. According to him, the modest gains of Ghana’s democracy needed to be protected and that sacrifice, integrity and dedication, honesty, hard work and selflessness were virtues Ghanaians must invest as legacy for their nation. Finally, he urged the officers and men of the contingent to uphold high the flag of Ghana in Mali and to pledge to protect the good name of the Motherland at all times. His Excellency the Ambassador was accompanied by his Deputy, Mr. Daniel Okaiteye-Blessyn to the function.

Ghana Embassy, Bamako, Mali,

8th March, 2013