Diversity is Strength, Asset to Commonwealth

THE BRITISH High Commissioner to Ghana, His Excellency Gordon Wetherell has noted that diversity in the reality of the world and the source of its richness is a strength and asset to the fifty-three member countries of the Commonwealth.

He indicated that the hallmark of the Commonwealth was the major global religions that co-exist harmoniously within it, which also provides the platform to pursue its global agenda of peace, conflict resolution, development, justice, elimination of poverty, strengthening common understanding as well as respect for diversity.

According to him, drawing maximum benefit from the rich tapestry of this diversity involved a great challenge such that it calls for a high level of respect, and understanding for differences that make up the diversity.

H.E made these remarks at a ceremony in Accra last week to commemorate this year's Commonwealth Day on the theme, "Respecting Difference, Promoting Understanding", which he noted was relevant to the management of affairs within individual member states and relations between them.

He stated, "while the rest of the world still grapples with definitions of what constitutes good governance, tolerance and respect for human rights, the Commonwealth has shown steadfast commitment to them. No where more in Ghana."

He said Ghana, despite having had some setbacks in the past fifty years, has been firmly placed on principles of democracy, freedom and justice which were inseparable from respect for diversity, difference and promotion of understanding.

H.E quoted the British Prime Minister Tony Blair as stating in a message on the day that, "all Commonwealth societies face new realities and challenges in today's global world. Developments in communication, travel and international finance mean that we are ever more closely interconnected and affected by events on the broader stage."

H.E Wetherell continued by saying that "the Commonwealth is a vibrant and diverse organization, one to which many wish to belong, and one in which we are all proud members- precisely because of our shared commitment to a common humanity- to the respect of difference and diversity among ourselves."

In conclusion, he urged Commonwealth member states to deepen understanding in the heritage and richness of the diversity they share and also increase their determination to shape the world with their various values, as epitomized by Commonwealth nations.

On his part, the Sierra Leone High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E Allie Bangura said the Commonwealth continued to be an active force in global affairs, promoting peace and justice and helping build consensus around the world.

He pointed out that what was currently needed was determination and collective action to help tackle the many challenges that individual states could not address such as the scourge of terrorism, third world indebtedness and the growing imbalance of trade.

"The opportunities are limitless if we join forces across the Commonwealth to address the challenges and with the collective will, I believe we can succeed," he noted, adding, "to this end, Commonwealth countries and peoples should continue working together to build a better world."

He continued that members should help each other by sharing resources and knowledge to make their economies stronger and to improve their systems of governance and the skills of their people, saying, "the governments and peoples of the Commonwealth should continue committing themselves to working hard to make a difference in their lives every day."