Papa Owusu Ankomah, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK)
Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Papa Owusu Ankomah, has indicated the preparedness of the High Commission to team up with the Ghana Union UK and other community leaders to reduce the spate of knife crime in the Ghana Community in London.
“The High Commission has been very worried about the spate of knife crime and the involvement of young Ghanaians, most often as victims”, he bemoaned.
The High Commissioner expressed these sentiments in his address at a fundraising dinner dance organised by the Ghana Union UK as part of activities that marked Ghana’s 62nd Independence Anniversary celebrations.
He informed the gathering that the consular and welfare section of the mission is currently holding talks with the union and other community leaders to help curb the menace. He signalled his willingness to help in the fight to minimise gun and knife crime among Ghanaian youth in London.
Whiles congratulating the Ghana Union under the leadership of Mr Kwesi Quayson and his executives on their relentlessness in bringing Ghanaians in the UK together, he advised parents to take active interest in the upbringing of their children since he believes that will be helpful in the fight against knife crime.
Mr Thomas Svaniker, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited and Executive Chairman of Svani Group Ghana Limited who chaired the function, advised Ghanaian parents to instil in their children “True Ghanaian Values”.
He donated $10,000 towards the Ghana Union Community Outreach Projects which includes the putting up of a Ghana Community centre.
Other dignitaries present at the dinner dance were Mrs Joana Svaniker, wife of Mr Thomas Svaniker and former Ghana’s ambassador to France, Mrs Rita Tani Iddi, Ghana’s Deputy High Commissioner for the UK, Mrs Matilda Osei Agyeman, Head of Chancery, Ghana High Commission UK, as well as chiefs and community leaders.