Ghana Union Stor-Stockholm: Ambassador visits Ghanaians in Stockholm

She was long expected but she came at last. Several months after her posting, Ghana’s ambassador to Sweden resident in Denmark, Hajia Fati Habib Jawula, visited Stockholm to meet Ghanaian residents in the city. The meeting took place at Kista Träff on August 21st and lasted almost three hours. She was accompanied by Mr Peter Opata, Counsellor at the embassy and Ms Emma Mensah, Minister Counsellor at the embassy.

The meeting was attended by a cross-section of Ghanaians including representatives of Friendship Association and the local branch of the NDC. The Ghana Union cultural troupe, Agoromma, performed to welcome her. She was visibly pleased with the performance.

In her brief address to the gathering, the Ambassador emphasised the importance of unity among Ghanaians. Her message was quite clear: it is not only ethnic differences that can create disunity. In fact, the absence of ethnic tension does not necessarily lead to unity. The ambassador cited the case of a Ghanaian community that has a good record of co-operation in ethnic diversity but still stands divided in other ways. Unity must be gender-neutral, total and non-exclusive, she told the gathering. All sections of the Ghanaian community must be on board – men and women, young and old, job-seekers and those with jobs. This should be irrespective of educational background, professional or other qualifications and political orientation. Indeed Ghanaians with different political views have every right to disagree with one another but must still work together as Ghanaians.

The ambassador then fielded questions from the audience who wondered, among other things, about the harassment meted out to Ghanaians at our ports of entry, passport and visa issues, and the harassment of Ghanaians in the Gambia. The ambassador commented on all the issues raised and assured her hearers that government was doing all in its power to make the nation a better place.

Talking on behalf of the Ghanaian community, Grace Mahama, vice president of the Ghana Union assured the ambassador that the Ghanaian community in Stockholm was united.

The President of the Friendship Association, Mr Joe Etbon, gave the vote of thanks and asked the Ambassador to visit Stockholm for the next celebration of Ghana’s Independence. The ambassador agreed. The Ghanaian community in Stockholm will be holding her to her word.