EDITORIAL: To Ghanaians in London

The Mayor of London, Mr. Ken Livingston, has called for two minutes silence to be observed today for the victims of last Thursday's terrorists attacks on the British capital. We hope in our little way to join in this act of reverence.

Though so far only a couple or so Ghanaians seem to have been caught in the fatalities, we are not going to kid ourselves that there may not be more. The fact is that London is home to many Ghanaians. Some of them have acquired citizenship, others have residency status, others are illegal immigrants and the rest are visitors on business or holidays. In many parts of this great city, Twi and other Ghanaian languages drown out English.

Every day at the visa section of the British High Commission in Accra, hundreds of young and old Ghanaians wait for visas to travel to the UK. The majority of them would end up in London. Therefore, for many of us, London is like home abroad. Any tragedy that befalls London is something that has befallen our kith and kin.

A Mrs. Wundowa has been mentioned as one of the Ghanaians who has most likely been consumed by the fire of the terrorists. Her husband, Mr. Wundowa is known to many Ghanaians, including ADM's managing editor, who was his school mate at Navrongo Secondary School. This tragedy is therefore not Mr. Wundowa's alone but has affected many of us.

If there is any act that can lead to a dubious claim to fame, it is the terrorist's bomb, because many people can then come forward and say, "I knew him/her" referring to a victim since the terrorist's bomb does not discriminate between victims. It has no conscience. Of the 52 victims so far announced, many people would certainly soon be saying that "I knew him/her".

As we observe today's two-minute silence, we want our compatriots in London to know that we care and we love them. Please keep out of trouble and take care.