Commonwealth Day: Ghana calls for cooperation among member states

Ghana, marking Commonwealth Day this year, urged member states to cooperate more with mutual respect and goodwill, to provide a common future for their people.

Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said this, in a copied statement to the Ghana News Agency, to mark the Day, which falls on the second Monday in March each year.

This year’s event is observed on the theme: “Ensuring a common future: connect, innovate, transform”. Madam Ayorkor Botchwey pledged, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, the country’s continued commitment to the Commonwealth by fervently defending the values ​​of the Commonwealth and reaffirmed the belief in this unique organization as a powerful beneficial influence in the world .

“We therefore hope that, as we mark this auspicious occasion, we will cooperate more, in mutual respect and goodwill, to provide a common future for our people. We are committed to a future that is clearly characterized by sustainability, peace, security, equity and inclusiveness, ”she said.

Ms Ayorkor Botchwey, said the theme for this year’s celebration was appropriate given the overwhelming challenges and threats to a bright and fulfilling future for unborn generations. “We cannot afford to be helpless in the current situation we find ourselves in.

It is imperative that our constant efforts aim to help each other through our deep-rooted network of friendship among the Member States, in order to achieve some of the goals, notably; protecting our natural resources and boosting trade through the Commonwealth Connectivity Program, ”she said.

“Our Commonwealth family remains an organization that aspires to promote global sustainable development and help shape the world of tomorrow, while playing its leadership role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”

She said the relevance of the Commonwealth could not be underestimated in contemporary times; declaring that the Commonwealth has stood the test of time and championed the promotion of prosperity, democracy and peace, justice and human rights, the empowerment of women and youth, had amplified the voice of small vulnerable states, advocated environmental protection in terms of the blue economy through its Blue Charter and climate change.

The minister said that in addition to the great strides, the intergovernmental organization was placed on the path of promoting trade facilitation through the Commonwealth Connectivity Program to boost trade among its member states and help cope. threats such as debt, terrorism, corruption, inequality as well as racism.

“We hope that with a common goal through the transfer of knowledge, everyone can give and everything can win,” said Ms. Ayorkor Botchwey. She said this would lead to innovations that would transform lives and livelihoods to ensure inclusive progress and greater prosperity for all.

“On that note, on behalf of the government and the good people of Ghana, I wish all of us a happy birthday,” she said. “Long live Ghana, long live our Commonwealth and May it remain a driving force for positive change throughout the Commonwealth family.”