Ghana last Wednesday joined the United States community in the country to mark the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America.
The event brought together people from various sectors to celebrate America’s enduring commitment to justice, liberty and freedom — principles that underpin its founding in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1776.
Among the dignitaries present were the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah; the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine; a former Member of Parliament for Zebila, Mr Cletus Avoka; a former Minister of Transport, Mr Titus Glover; and the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru III. Members of the clergy, the business community and staff of the United States Embassy in Accra also attended.
The event was enlivened by musical performances from the United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band, the ‘Diplomats Jazz Combo’.
Addressing the gathering, the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in Accra, Mr Rolf Olson, recalled that the founders of the United States had asserted that all people were endowed with “certain unalienable rights”, namely life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
He highlighted the growing partnership between Ghana and the United States, which spans health, education, science, the economy and technology.
Mr Olson noted that when Ghana attained independence in 1957, the United States sent a delegation led by then Vice-President Richard Nixon to join in the celebrations.
He said few years later, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps, with Ghana becoming the first country to host volunteers in 1961.
Marking 65 years of the Peace Corps in Ghana this year, he said more than 5,000 volunteers had since lived and worked in Ghanaian communities, particularly in the areas of health and education.
Mr Olson described Ghana and the United States as natural partners, explaining that both countries shared common values, including belief in freedom, education, entrepreneurship, justice and respect for human dignity.
He also commended the collaboration between the two countries last December, when the United States deployed a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft, at the request of President John Mahama, to transport personnel of the 48th Engineering Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces, together with relief supplies, to Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Dr Dominic Ayine, for his part, commended the longstanding partnership between Ghana and the United States, particularly in the areas of law enforcement, security and defence.
He said the presence of American businesses in Ghana was a clear testament to the strength of the relationship between the two countries.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
