Ghana to Host 2004 Royal Commonwealth Society International Meeting
1 July 2004
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| President John Kufuor of Ghana |
Under the theme 'Democracy and Development: Making the Difference', participants will share ideas, experience and best practices in achieving the Society's objectives of promoting and raising awareness about the Commonwealth. The meeting will be held in Agona Swedru and will be opened by President John Kufuor of Ghana.
Representatives of the RCS's international network of branches, Commonwealth societies, Honorary Representatives and 15 nominated youth delegates from Commonwealth countries will be attending the meeting. It will include plenary sessions and workshops to discuss key developments in the Commonwealth.
Aimé Sangara, RCS Head of Public Affairs, said: "The theme for the meeting is to reflect the challenges faced by Ghana and by other Commonwealth countries. We expect discussions to have a strong local perspective without losing sight of the theme's relevance to the wider Commonwealth. Speakers will be of a high calibre and of international repute."
The nominated youth delegates will be on work placements in a local community or work on local development projects for up to a week prior to the meeting. They are recipients of grants under the Sir David Thorne Bursary Awards, which were established to enable young people from developing Commonwealth countries to attend international Commonwealth events and provide them with the opportunity to learn about the modern Commonwealth and what it can offer for the future. The project is supported by the Commonwealth Foundation.
Ghana was the first African country to join the Commonwealth after gaining independence in 1957, and Mr Sangara said: "It is thus fitting that the first RCS international meeting in Africa is held in Ghana."
The RSC also hopes to mark this special occasion by officially launching a Commonwealth Society of Ghana, affiliated to the RCS.
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