Queen Commends Ghana On Jubilee

Queen Elizabeth 11, has congratulated President Kufuor and the people of Ghana on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence on March 6.

The Queen’s message, released by the British High Commissioner in Accra yesterday said, 'I have much pleasure in sending Your Excellency my congratulations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the independence of Ghana, along with my best wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the Government and people of Ghana in the years ahead.' It said, in reference to the announced invitation to President Kufuor to visit the UK later this month, 'Prince Philip and I very much look forward to your forthcoming state visit.'

In a related development, the High Commission has also announced that Prince Edward, The Duke of Kent, will visit the country from March 4-7, to represent the Queen at the Golden Jubilee celebration on March 6.

The statement said Baroness Amos, Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Privy Council, will also visit Ghana from today, March 2-6, to represent the British Government at the celebration.

During his visit, the first ever, the Duke of Kent will undertake a series of engagements in Accra and the Eastern Region, including participating in the official events marking the 50th anniversary of Ghana’s independence. Baroness Amos, on the other hand, apart from participating in the official events marking Ghana’s anniversary, will also visit the Central Region to see at first hand key slave trading sites including Elmina Castle, to mark the 200th anniversary of the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, and highlight the trade’s contemporary effects.

Both the Duke of Kent and Baroness Amos will meet President Kufuor to congratulate him and the people of Ghana on the 50th anniversary as well as on the President’s election as chair of the African Union.