March 1977: Celebrating Commonwealth Day in Ghana

Commonwealth Day was simultaneously celebrated across all member countries for the first time in 1977. Secretary-General Shridath Ramphal, marked the occasion in Accra while attending the Seventh Commonwealth Education Conference.

In addition to hosting an official function at the State House, the Secretary-General was also able to enjoy an exhibition of Commonwealth children's art mounted in the Kwame Nkrumah Conference Centre, and to join in some of the other Ghanaian special activities. He stated;

I am sure all who were present will long remember the occasion and give encouragement to schools to celebrate successive Commonwealth Days in ways which serve to increase Commonwealth understanding.[1]

This sentiment was very much in evidence at the Conference which at its conclusion gave approval to an increased emphasis on programmes of education which were specifically designed to create an enhanced understanding and appreciation of the Commonwealth.

The records relating to the first simultaneous observance of Commonwealth Day and of the Seventh Commonwealth Education Conference can be found in the Commonwealth Secretariats Library and Archives.