3 July 2008
editorial
On July 1, 2008, Ghana celebrated her 48th anniversary as a Republic. The date is also celebrated in Canada as Canada Day.This year marks the 141st anniversary of Canadian confederation. It also marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of Québec City and of the Canadian state.
It's not only this holiday date that Canada and Ghana have in common, relations between our two countries go back more than a century. In 1906, Canadian missionaries, Les Peres Blancs, established a church in northern Ghana. Since then, Ghana has attracted the interest of diverse Canadians who have contributed to building ties between our two countries.
Over the last decade, the consolidation of democracy in Ghana, including the country's first democratic transition of power to an opposition party, has allowed for the flourishing of political values shared by Canada. Freedom of speech, a vibrant press and an active civil society are common to both Canada and Ghana.
Canada and Ghana have cooperated as partners in the UN and the Commonwealth for the past 51 years and more recently as part of the Francophonie. Canada and Ghana also share a commitment to peacekeeping and regional security. Over the years, Ghana has received support through various Canadian programs for the training of its peacekeepers, particularly through Canada's support of the Accra-based Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.
Ghana and Canada also share a commitment to sustainable growth and poverty reduction in Africa. Ghana has been playing a leadership role within the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), and Canada has responded to that initiative by committing to the G8 Africa Action Plan in the areas of peace and security, governance, economic growth, debt relief, health, education, agriculture and water.
Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has been a development partner in Ghana since1957. Ghana is Canada's longest running development program in Africa, with over $1billion in assistance contributed to date. CIDA has a long history of supporting many different sectors including agriculture, water supply, education and energy.
Evidence of its basic infrastructure support can still be seen throughout the country. Development cooperation in Ghana has evolved significantly over the years. Ghana is genuinely and increasingly taking the lead, ownership, and responsibility for its development.
The main priorities of CIDA in Ghana are good governance and basic human needs (with a focus on water and sanitation and food security/agriculture issues). Environment and gender equality are cross-cutting themes for all programming, and HIV/AIDS in Ghana is closely monitored.
CIDA maintains a focus on the three poorest regions in Ghana - the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions. Many Canadian and international partners who are funded by Canada are also active in Ghana.
But the story does not end with development assistance. Trade partnerships between Ghana and Canada are on the rise. Ghana is Canada's third largest market in sub-Saharan Africa for merchandise exports. A strong growth rate, rule of law, and improving infrastructure add to the country's commercial attractiveness.
In 2007, two-way trade between Canada and Ghana was $179 million, with Canadian exports valued at $157.3 million. The Canada-Ghana Chamber of Commerce, which was officially launched this year, is very active in promoting partnerships between Ghanaian and Canadian business interests.
The growing number of Canadian youths who volunteer to work or study in Ghana is an important factor in cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Every year, Trent University sends students to the University of Ghana (Legon). Other Canadian academic institutions and NGOs, such as CUSO and WUSC, have also been active in Ghana for many decades.
The current size of the Ghanaian community in Canada is estimated at 80,000. Much of this community is concentrated in urban areas, especially Toronto. Ghanaian-Canadian cultural groups, such as the Ghana Canada Association of British Columbia and the Okyeman Cultural Association of Toronto, are contributing to the promotion of Ghanaian culture in Canada.
Canada looks forward to sharing many more anniversaries with Ghana. Happy Republic Day Ghana! Happy Birthday Canada!
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