Prince Edward inspires youth to engage in community services

By Stephen Asante, GNA
Kumasi, May 27, GNA - Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, has encouraged the Ghanaian youth to show strong inclination towards community service to assist improve conditions in their various communities.

This was when he planted a tree at the Rattray Park, Kumasi, a symbolic gesture to invite young people in the metropolis to join efforts at restoring the city to its former beautiful scenery that earned it the accolade, 'Garden City of West Africa'.

The Earl, looking in the direction of school children, who had gathered for the ceremony said 'come closer and join me to plant this tree because it is your moment'.

The Prince was in the country for an official visit and had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Asantehene, Otunfuo Osei Tutu II, at his Manhyia Palace.

He was accompanied by a 23-member delegation, including Ghanaian born British, Lord Paul Boateng, International Trustee and HOSA National Patron - formerly known as the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, launched 60 years ago and which has motivated and transformed the lives of millions of young people.

Through innovation, creativity and non-formal education, the Awards continue to play critical role in the development of young people, encouraging them to engage in community services to address development challenges.

It currently covers a total of 140 countries, and more than 90 deserving Ghanaians, were honoured at this year's awards, for their commitment to the cause of humanity.

Mr. Kojo Bonsu, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), recounted the warm relationship between Ghana and Britain and said this would continue to be strengthened.

The Rattray Park, the first of its kind to be established in sub-Saharan Africa, was opened to the public last year, and is one of the fastest growing tourist attraction sites in Ghana.

The ultra-modern park was named after Robert Sutherland Rattray, a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), who was appointed the Assistant District Commissioner at Ejura in the then Gold Coast in 1911.

He was on record to have taken the opportunity to learn the local Asante dialect, and soon became Head of the Anthropological Department of Asante, where he retired after nine years.

He published a good number of books on the Asantes, including Ashanti (1923), Religion and Art in Ashanti (1927), The Tribes of the Ashanti Hinterland (1932) and Ashanti Law and Constitution.

GNA