John Prescott hails Ghanaians

Britains Deputy Prime Minister Mr John Prescott has noted that Ghana is real model of the modern commonwealth. He said the role and achievements of Ghana after independence from colonial rule should be a lesson for all commonwealth countries especially those in Africa to emulate.

He said Ghana has shown the way that given the African the push and the freedom to manage his own affairs, a lot could be achieved in a short span of fifty years.

Mr John Prescott was addressing a gathering of Ghanaians, members of the UK diplomatic corps and friends of Ghana in London, who had been invited to the prestigious Park Lane Hilton Hotel by H.E. Mr. Annan Cato, Ghanas High Commissioner to UK to celebrate the Golden Jubilee anniversary of Ghanas independence from colonial rule.

He observed that Ghanas role in promoting global trade and the deepening of democracy in the Africa as well as conflict mediation do not only place Ghana as a country that most other African countries look up to but also as a country that has ensured not only what is good for its citizens but other countries as well.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Ghana has not relinquished its determination to be the hope of Africa, as exhibited in the vision of the first political leader of Ghana after its independence, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Annan Cato noted that no value can be put to the blessings that Ghana has received; no value can be put to the role Ghana has played in the affairs of Africa.

He observed that the first presidents vision for Africa is important today as it was at the time of Ghanas independence. He noted that Ghana has consistently led the way from independence to today.

Mr Cato praised the forefathers who denied themselves all good things and fought for the total liberation of the people of the country adding that their sacrifice and toils have brought us this far.

He appealed to Ghanaians residing in the UK to help contribute to the development of the country since the total development of the nation rest on all.

He was of the view that this is a moment for Ghanaians to stand together and to celebrate our country. The world expects us to do no less. Although Ghana has had its share of many difficult challenges during the fifty years of her existence, it is to the credit of all that we have succeeded in surmounting many of these challenges and that at this point in time our country is stable, strong and united

He said, it is a matter of great significance that such progress as we have made in socio-economic development, infrastructural development, in education and in Governance, have been achieved under conditions of total freedom and under the rule of law.

It is a good time to be a Ghanaian and let us all together build our nation He added.