AFRIPOL.ORG IDEAS HAVE CONSEQUENCES
Royal Welcome for Ghana's President Kufuor in London
By Kwaku Osei Bonsu BuaNews(Tshwane) March 14, 2007
Queen Elizabeth II rolled out the red carpet for President John Agyekum Kufuor at the start of his high profile state visit to Britain Tuesday.
He was welcomed with a spectacular royal ceremony to Buckingham Palace.
President Kufuor, who is also chairman of the African Union, recently hosted African and world leaders in his country during Ghana's 50 years celebration of independence from Britain.
Also accompanying the president on the visit are the Chairman of the Council of State, Professor Daniel Adzei-Bekoe, Foreign Minister Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, Minister for Information and National Orientation Kwamena Bartels and a number of senior government officials.
The historic three-day visit at the invitation of the Queen is designed to reinforce the strong political and economic ties which have existed between Ghana and its former colonial rulers over the years.
This comes amidst growing international appreciation of Ghana's democratic governance and economic performance.
The ceremonies in Britain began with the formation of a parade in President Kufuor's honour by the Queen's Household Regiment backed by 100 horses at the royal ceremonial grounds.
He was greeted on arrival by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, and to cheers from a large flag-waving crowd of Ghanaian residents in Britain.
President Kufuor was accompanied by his wife, Theresa, and was escorted by Prince Philip.
The high point was when the Ghanaian leader and the British Monarch climbed into the centuries-old, Gold State Coach.
The remarkably ornate coach built for King George III was pulled by eight horses and led by 100 others, for the carriage procession to the Grand Entrance of the Palace.
Prince Philip and First Lady Theresa rode in another Coach.
The Queen by tradition invites two leaders to Britain for a state visit every year. This year, President Kufuor happens to be the first to have received that honour.
The Queen conducted President Kufuor and the First Lady to view a collection of Ghanaian items.
Later they visited Westminster Abbey, where the president laid a wreath at the tomb of an unknown soldier.
The President was scheduled to receive courtesy calls by the leader of the British Opposition, leader of the Liberal Democrats and the Commonwealth Secretary General.
He will also hold high level talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and have a meeting with African heads of diplomatic missions.
President Kufuor's other engagements would involve holding business meetings with the West African Business Association and the Commonwealth Business Council and making a major policy statement at the Royal Institute of International Affairs.
He is also to deliver a lecture at Liverpool's John Moores University, where he will receive an Honorary Doctorate Degree.
Ghana and Britain have maintained excellent relations since Ghana's independence and Britain is Ghana's biggest trading partner.
Trade between the two nations stood at 221 million pounds sterling for the period between January and September, last year. - BuaNews-NNN
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Towards Ghana's 50th Independence Day
Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra) January 19, 2007
By Joseph Coomson
GUINNESS GHANA Breweries Limited, (GGBL), Ghana's most celebrated business, yesterday presented a generous sponsorship package of both cash and kind worth ¢10 billion to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the-Ghana @50 Secretariat, Dr. Charles Wereko Brobbey at the Secretariat's office at Independence Square in Accra.
Leading the delegation from GGBL was the Managing Director, Mr. Seni Adetu, accompanied by the Director of Corporate Relations, Mrs. Pamela Djamson-Tettey, Human Resource, Mr. James Kwofie, Marketing Manager, Mrs. Shirley Shooter and Communications Manager, Edwin Baffour.
Mr. Adetu said that the sponsorship package was in fulfilment of a promise made when representatives of the GGBL Executive Team paid a courtesy call on President John Agyekum Kufuor at the Castle at Osu in October.
He said, "I am delighted to announce that GGBL, in fulfilment of a promise made to President Kufuor, is supporting the Ghana@50 Secretariat with a cash donation of 500 million cedis and 2000 crates of assorted beverages.
"We are proud to support such a worthy cause on such a historic occasion as the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Ghana's Independence". GGBL is committed to being the most celebrated business in Ghana and being a strategic partner with government in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the nation", Mr. Adetu stated.
The CEO of the Ghana @ 50 Secretariat, Dr. Wereko Brobbey thanked Mr. Adetu and his team for the generous contribution from GGBL, which he said, would play a big part in ensuring that next years celebration would be a success.
He urged the management of the company to continue playing the vital role it has played in meeting its social responsibility obligations in Ghana and called on other corporate bodies to emulate the good example of Guinness.
GGBL was last month awarded the 3rd place in Ghana's prestigious Club 100 listing of corporate bodies, and now becomes the highest ranked manufacturer of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) in the country.
This is the third year in a row that the company has featured in the top five of the listing compiled by the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre.
In total, GGBL's contribution to the Ghana @ 50 Anniversary is expected to exceed two billion cedis. GGBL therefore qualifies to be placed in the 'Black Star' Category of Corporate Sponsors.
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The planning for Ghana's 50th Independence Celebration on March 10, 2007 in the Houston area is complete.
The theme for this year's celebration is:
"Towards a Better Home …"
We will like to share the details with all Ghanaians
Date: Sunday, January 28, 2007
Location: 14829 Bellaire Blvd @ Hwy 6
(Premises of Queensway Fashions and FirstLove International Church)
Time: 3:30 pm
Several Activities are planned over two months (see attached brochure):
i)Soccer matches with other African teams in Houston
ii)Panel discussion on Post-Independence issues in Ghana
iii)Volunteer Community work in the Houston area.
iv)Essay contest for the youth - grades 4 thru 12 with rewards
v)Freedom Festival - Community Fair - Cultural Displays, Picnic and Health Screening
Inter Denominational Thanksgiving Church Service
Dinner:Dance Banquet with a Live Band.
Come and hear the details !! Don't be left out.
For further information contact:Rev Fosu Akyea
Pastor, FirstLove International Church, Houston, Texas
(Alief Area -- Bellaire and Hwy 6)
President, Ghana Association of Houston
Ph: 281-933-1254
CL: 713-412-1354
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