Ghana's 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrated in Switzerland and Austria
Ghana’s Golden Jubilee anniversary was celebrated in Switzerland and Austria with a variety of activities, including receptions, Dinner Dance and Church Service.
At the receptions held in Berne and Geneva, Switzerland, organised by the Ghanaian Missions in Berne and Geneva, and at the Dinner Dance organised by the Union of Ghanaian Nationals in Austria on 6th, 9th, and 10th respectively, His Excellency Ambassador Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Ghana’s Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation delivered His Excellency President John Agyekum Kufuor’s message. The speech traced Ghana’s political history from colonial times to the present. The message also praised the country’s founding fathers for their extraordinary courage and sacrifice towards Ghana’s emancipation in particular and the continent as a whole. Special tributes were also paid to the country’s public servants as well as her development partners for their contribution to the country’s development.
While acknowledging the myriad of challenges that Africa was currently facing, the message pointed out that many African countries were making progress and deserved to be encouraged. It urged African youths to resolve to stay back in their countries and use their energies to serve the continent, saying that “the continent now provides a quicker avenue for success financially and emotionally than anywhere else”.
During the highly impressive and colourful ceremonies, pictures and films dating from 1957 to date were shown, while Ambassador Baah-Duodu was joined by other African Heads of Mission to cut the anniversary cakes, which bore the official Golden Jubilee logo.
The Ex-Ghana/Swiss Society, an association of Swiss nationals who have had some working experience in Ghana, seized the opportunity to present a Swiss pendulum clock as a donation to the Office of the President in Accra. His Excellency the Ambassador received the clock and promised to forward it to the competent authorities in Ghana accordingly. The Association had earlier presented a smaller model of the clock to the Embassy at the Chancery in Berne.
At the Vienna function, cultural performances showcasing dances from all the regions in Ghana were performed. Ambassador Baah-Duodu took the opportunity to appraise Ghanaians resident in Austria with efforts being made by the Mission to address their consular problems.
The inter-denominational Thanksgiving Service was held at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on Sunday, 11th March, 2007 and was attended by the various Ghanaian churches represented in Switzerland. The Reverend Dr. Setri Nyomi, the Secretary General of the World Alliance of Reform Churches, delivered the 50th Anniversary sermon, during which he urged Ghanaians to be thankful for what God had done for the nation for the past 50 years and encouraged them to do more to enhance the development and unity of the country. In a brief message, Ambassador Kwabena Baah-Duodu paid special tributes to Ghanaians abroad for complementing Government’s development efforts back home. Among individuals he specifically mentioned were the former UN Secretary General, Busummuru Kofi Annan and Dr. Anarfi Asamoah-Baah, who was recently appointed as the Deputy Director-General of the Geneva based World Health Organisation and who was also present at the service.
Ghana's envoy presents credentials in Vienna
His Excellency Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Ambassador of Ghana to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, who is concurrently accredited to Austria, presented his Credentials to the Federal President of Austria, His Excellency Dr. Heinz Fischer on Tuesday, November 28th, 2006 at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna. He was accompanied by Mr. Daniel Okaiteye-Blessyn, First Secretary, Embassy of Ghana, Berne, Switzerland
In a discussion following the presentation, Dr. Heinz Fischer expressed his gratitude to Ghana for its support for Austria’s bid for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations (UN) Security Council and stated that his country would reciprocate Ghana’s gesture at the appropriate time.
On his part, Ambassador Baah-Duodu noted the cordial relations that had existed between Ghana and Austria since the mid 1960s and stressed the need to translate those relations into productive economic and technical cooperation.
The Ambassador underscored the resurgence of Ghana’s economy, which he attributed to the present Government’s prudent policies. He observed, however, that those efforts by Government required assistance from its development partners to propel the country into a middle income status by 2015, as envisaged by Government. He pledged to work with his Austrian collaborators to intensify the cooperation.
At a reception organized in Vienna later in the evening to mark the occasion, Ambassador Baah-Duodu stated further that the seriousness with which the Government of Ghana had tackled the economic problems of the country so far had demonstrated its determination to create a congenial investment climate for the flow of foreign direct investment and other private capital inflows from foreigners and Ghanaians, both local and abroad, into the country. In this regard, he called on Austrian and diasporan Ghanaian investors to seriously consider Ghana as the most viable and profitable investment destination in Africa.
Mr. Baah-Duodu had previously presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office in Vienna (UNOV), Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, the Deputy Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Madam Anna-Marie Cetto, the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBTO), Mr. Tabor Toth and the Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Mr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, on October 30th and 31st , November 2nd and 27th ,2006 respectively.
During discussions with the Director-General of UNOV, Ambassador Baah-Duodu reaffirmed Ghana’s determination to play a positive role in the United Nations in solving some of the challenges threatening the international community.
At the IAEA, Ambassador Baah-Duodu noted, with appreciation, the high level of cooperation existing between Ghana and the Agency and indicated his determination to further strengthen those relations.
Referring to the technical assistance given to Ghana to establish a Post Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences at the University of Ghana, Legon, he expressed the hope that the Agency would continue to assist the country in its search for alternative sources of energy. Efforts being made by Ghana to secure funds for the installation of a third radiotherapy equipment in Tamale for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as the practical application of nuclear technology particularly in Ghana’s agriculture were also discussed.
At the Preparatory Commission of the CTBTO, the Executive Secretary, Mr. Tibor Toth, expressed his appreciation to Ghana for signing the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and encouraged Ghana to take the next step by ratifying the treaty. The Executive Secretary also briefed the Ambassador on the activities of the CTBTO, which focused on the benefits that Member States could enjoy from the Organisation, particularly in terms of access to specialized services and products.
The last Head of an International Organisation, which Mr. Baah-Duodu presented his credentials to was the Director-General of UNIDO, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella at the Secretariat of the Organisation in Vienna. The occasion coincided with the Organisation’s 40th anniversary.
The Ambassador expressed appreciation of his Government for the assistance the Organisation was giving to Ghana to develop industrially.
The Director-General was in turn appreciative of the support UNIDO had enjoyed from the Government of Ghana over the years and expressed the hope that UNIDO - Ghana cooperation would be further strengthened when the Organisation’s Country Director arrived in Ghana. He also commended the genuine attempts being made by African Governments in the area of regional cooperation in trade and technical assistance. He wished the Ambassador a fruitful duty tour. The Ambassador expressed the hope that cooperation between Ghana and UNIDO would flourish under his tenure of office.
While in Vienna, the Ambassador took the opportunity to meet with some Austrian Government officials, the country’s Chambers of Commerce, the OPEC Fund for International Development as well as other Austrian senior officials dealing with Ghana-Austrian economic relations. Discussions held with the Austrian state officials focused on ways to strengthen the economic cooperation between Austria and Ghana, while those with the OPEC Fund dwelt on further assistance to Ghana.
The Ambassador met Ghanaians in Vienna and Graz during which he encouraged them to strengthen their various associations, while urging them to help plan and implement a programme for the upcoming 50th independence anniversary of Ghana in their various places. He said that both Ghanaians in Austria and Switzerland should be able to pinpoint a project or projects they have been able to support by the end of 2007.
Ghana's Golden Jubilee celebration in Switzerland begins with a bang
The year-long Ghana’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations in Switzerland, was inaugurated in Lucerne by Ghana’s Ambassador to Switzerland, His Excellency Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu on Friday, 26th January, 2007 at a Philatelist Exhibition organised in collaboration with a former Swiss Ambassador to Ghana and a staunch Philatelist, Dr. Hans Peter Strauch.
The Stamps Exhibition which showcases stamps from the Gold Coast to present day Ghana will last until February 9th, 2007. Also on display are artefacts and photographs from the period of Ghana’s independence to the present.
The event, which was attended by Ghanaians and Swiss nationals from all walks of life, especially philatelists and members of the Ex Ghana-Swiss Society, an organisation of Swiss nationals with previous working experience in Ghana, was very colourful. Also present were diplomats from other Embassies based in Berne, the Swiss capital.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Baah-Duodu, who is also Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, stated that Ghana had come a long way during her 50 years of nationhood and stressed that by virtue of the present prudent policies and good governance of the administration of His Excellency President John Agyekum Kufuor, the country was being acknowledged with appreciation and goodwill worldwide.
He expressed the hope that through the Stamps and Artefacts Exhibition, the Swiss and other nationals, including Ghanaians in the host country, would learn more about Ghana, her history, people and culture. He informed his audience that those who wanted to know Africa really well should experience Ghana first. He urged them to visit Ghana to experience its extraordinary warmth and hospitality. He urged Philatelists in Switzerland to continue to show interest in Ghanaian stamps.
He also encouraged those present to actively participate in the programme of activities scheduled to mark Ghana’s Golden Jubilee anniversary in Switzerland. They would, he said, thereby know the unique and numerous opportunities existing for investment, and tourism in Ghana.
Later Dr. Hans Peter Strauch took participants through the different types of stamps displayed and the significance of the Exhibition in Ghana / Swiss relations, which according to him, showed the level of affection Switzerland had for Ghana.
Ambassador Baah-Duodu to Chair WTO working group on Trade and Transfer of Technology
Ghana’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu was elected Chairman of the Working Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology for 2007 by the General Council of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2007.
H.E. Mr. Muhamad Noor, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Malaysia was elected Chairman of the General Council for 2007.
Ghanaian Community in Switzerland welcomes new Ambassador
The Ghanaian community in Switzerland on Saturday, 9th December 2006, organized a party to welcome His Excellency Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu, the new Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Ghana to Switzerland and Austria and the European Offices of the United Nations in Geneva and Vienna.
Present at the ceremony were members of the Ghanaian community as well as officials of the Ghana Permanent Mission in Geneva and Berne respectively. His Excellency was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Edith Baah-Duodu, and Mr. Paul Aryene, the Deputy Permanent Representative.
In a brief ceremony, prayers were offered for Ghana, the Ambassador and his family and Ghanaians living in Switzerland by Rev. Father Kwame Labi, Pastor Mary Attafuah, Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi and Pastor George Asafu-Adjie. Thereafter, the Ambassador, who had previously served in Switzerland in the 1980s, was officially welcomed back to Geneva on behalf of the community by Mr. Frank Kofi, an elder of the Community and it was like a family reunion. This was the first time Ghanaians in Switzerland had organized a welcoming party for a new Ambassador.
Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the honour done him and pledged to promote the interests of Ghana in Switzerland, Austria and in the various international organizations in these two countries.
Apart from the consular services offered by the two Missions, the Ambassador also reiterated his previous announcement in Berne that he would devote the third and last Friday of every month in Geneva and in Berne respectively to open surgeries.
Touching on investment, the Ambassador urged Ghanaians to take advantage of the attractive investment opportunities in Ghana. He, however, cautioned members to use professional services and institute effective mechanisms once a decision to invest was taken.
The Ambassador further informed the gathering of on-going preparations being made towards the celebration of the golden jubilee anniversary of Ghana next year. He appealed to all to make inputs towards the planning and implementation of the programmes for the year-long celebration. Besides the commemorative activities, he urged members to contribute towards a golden jubilee project in Ghana.
The Ambassador had in the previous month met members of the Ex-Ghana Swiss Association - an Association of Swiss Citizens who had lived in Ghana in the past.
Ambassador Baah-Duodu presents credentials in Switzerland
His Excellency Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu, the new Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the Swiss Confederation, presented his credentials to the President of Switzerland, His Excellency Mr. Moritz Leuenberger at the Federal Palace in Berne, on Thursday, October 19th 2006.
Also present at the ceremony were the Swiss Federal Chancellor, Miss Annemarie Huber-Hotz, the Chief of Protocol, Ambassador Willy Holds, and other senior officials from the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Baah-Duodu was accompanied by Mr. Daniel Okaiteye-Blessyn, First Secretary and two other officials from the Embassy of Ghana, Berne.
During discussions with the Federal President, His Excellency Mr. Kwabena Baah-Duodu extended to the former, the Government and People of Switzerland, the best wishes of President John Agyekum Kufuor, the Government and People of Ghana. He traced the cordial relations existing between the two countries from the arrival of the Basel Missionaries in the early 1820s on the shores of what is now Ghana to the present and stated his Government’s appreciation of the several Swiss bilateral economic and technical assistance to Ghana. He affirmed his determination to work to further intensify those relations during his tenure of office.
President Leuenberger expressed his admiration for Ghana’s leadership role in West Africa in particular and Africa in general. He recalled with fondness his interaction with President Kufuor during the recent session of the U.N. General Assembly and added that he was highly impressed with the speech delivered by His Excellency as it touched on pertinent regional and global issues. President Leuenberger also stated his admiration of Ghanaian diplomats in general and of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan in particular for their contribution to world peace and security.
Answering a question on Ghana, the new Ambassador underscored the peaceful political atmosphere in the country and the way the current Government’s policies had led to the resurgence of the economy. He pointed out, however, that it was Ghana’s desire that such peace would be woven into West Africa’s socio-political fabric. He observed that what Switzerland and Ghana had in common was their burning desire for peace and development in freedom. He expressed the hope that Switzerland would continue to assist Ghana to enable her to be successful in that regard.
Given the pivotal role the private sector is expected to play in Ghana’s economy, Ambassador Baah-Duodu called for further Swiss assistance to that sector in order to strengthen its performance. He again urged the Swiss Government to support the country’s human resource development efforts. He stated that the Government of Ghana would welcome investment in and the transfer of technological know-how to the country to encourage the processing and value addition of more raw materials, including cocoa, gold and aluminum in the country, prior to their exports.
At the end of the discussion, both the Federal President and the new Ambassador pledged to further enhance the already cordial relations existing between Ghana and Switzerland for their common good.
In a speech, delivered at a reception later in the evening, Ambassador Baah-Duodu, expressed his gratitude to President Kufuor for giving him the opportunity to serve Ghana in this capacity and pledged to promote and enhance the economic and technical cooperation between Ghana and Switzerland. He also called on Swiss investors to take advantage of the numerous investment opportunities in Ghana, adding that the “economic potentials are as welcoming as the investment policies are conducive”. He further pledged the Embassy’s preparedness to assist all potential investors, both foreigners and Ghanaians who genuinely seek to do business with Ghana.
To his compatriots resident in Switzerland, the new Ambassador emphasized that their welfare was his priority and urged them to keep in touch regularly with the Missions in Berne and Geneva, whenever the need arose as those Missions were established to seek their interests. He announced that apart from the daily consular services being provided by the two Missions and barring any emergencies, he would devote the last Friday and the third Friday of each month to ‘open surgeries’ at the two Missions respectively. He elaborated that during the days earmarked each Ghanaian who wants to see the Ambassador could literally walk into his office.
Ambassador Baah-Duodu, who is also the Permanent Representative of Ghana to the United Nations Office in Geneva and to the World Trade Organisation [WTO] presented his credentials to H.E. Mr. Sergei Ordzonikidze, the Director-General of the United Nations Office and Mr. David Lamy, Director-General of the WTO in Ghana on September 25th, 2006 and October 9th 2006, respectively.
Since the beginning of his career as a diplomat, which spans almost 30 years, His Excellency Mr. Baah-Duodu has held several positions both within the Foreign Ministry in Accra and Ghana’s diplomatic missions in Geneva (Switzerland), New Delhi (India), (Seoul) South Korea, London (United Kingdom).
Born in Dwenase (near Osino) in the Eastern Region of Ghana, Mr. Baah-Duodu was educated at Bomdwen Primary School, Ghana Secondary School, Koforidua, University of Ghana, Legon, University of Nairobi, Kenya and Georgetown University, Washington D.C., where he was a Diplomatic Associate
He is married to Edith. They have four children; Eugene, Samuel, Eudora and Michael.
