Prime Minister Theresa May welcoming President Akufo-Addo to the St James’ Palace, London, for the Commonwealth meeting
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was formally opened yesterday by Queen Elizabeth II.
At a meeting held at the famous Buckingham Palace – the seat of the British Empire – the Queen of England called for stronger and greater cooperation among member countries, especially in the area of trade.
Present were leaders of all the 53 member nations; and Ghana’s delegation is led by President Akufo-Addo.
Queen Elizabeth II was of the belief that this would lead to the discovery of new ways of doing business and imaginative initiatives to show how together they can bring change on a global scale.
The queen underscored, “The Commonwealth Canopy has emphasized our inter-dependence while the Commonwealth Blue Charter promises to do same in protecting our shared ocean resources.
“It is my sincere wish that the Commonwealth will continue to offer stability and continuity for future generations.”
The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, said the occasion was to “celebrate with renewed pride our remarkable Commonwealth family” particularly as it followed from the heels of the just-ended 21st Commonwealth Games in Australia.
For him, witnessing the gathering of 71 countries, territories and meeting their athletes in the Games village was above all, a moving reminder of the strong affection of bond which they all share.
He considered himself fortunate to have met and spoken with many of the giants of the Commonwealth, including Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyata, Kenneth Kaunda, Julius Nyarere, Li Kuan Yu and a host of great leaders.
On the foundations they laid, Prince Charles said, “The modern Commonwealth has vital role to play in building bridges between our countries, various societies within them and a more secured world ….”
It was his fervent prayer that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which closes today, would not only revitalize the bonds between the respective countries, but would also give the Commonwealth a renewed relevance to all its citizens, finding practical solutions to their problems and giving life to their aspirations.”
British Prime Minister Theresa May stressed the good the Commonwealth can do, in spite of the challenges over the years.
She charged leaders with the responsibility of showing what can be achieved with coordinated action and cooperation, to seize the opportunities opened to them as member countries and together take on some of the 21st century’s biggest questions as they support the most vulnerable member states in tackling the effects of climate change and
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, called on member countries to continue to strive for the very things that bind them together rather than those that set them apart.
From Charles Takyi-Boadu, London, UK