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Peace Rallies Held in Ghana
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
To communicate the peace message, UPF-Ghana organized rallies in four key cities: Ho, Koforidua, Kumasi, and Takoradi.
1) Ho is the regional capital for the Volta Region, in the southeast part of Ghana. With a population of over 300,000, it is known for its large regional market, several hospitals and Internet cafes. It was a good choice for the first rally. Setting out at 4:00 am on October 3, the team comprising UPF President Paul Gayina, Vice President Mrs. Helen Osei, Secretary General Edward Aboagye, Ambassador for Peace Alhaji T. S. Kerim, Dr. Daniel Quaye, and three others drove three hours to join Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sosu, who had been at Ho for a week preparing for the occasion.
The event started at 2:30 pm at Freedom Hotel in the heart of Ho, with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Choir in attendance. The program began with a prayer by the imam of the city, followed by a toast and prayer for marriage blessing. The Founder's Speech was read by Rev. Gayina. In all, 61 persons including Christians, Muslim academics and local politicians participated, and seven dignitaries were appointed as Ambassadors for Peace. The program ended with a Christian prayer.
2) Koforidua, the capital of the eastern region, is located not far from Lake Volta and has a population of approximately 90,000. The team consisting of five persons drove four hours from Ho to Koforidua on October 4 after morning devotions to join Rev. and Mrs. J. B. Danquah, who went there a week earlier to prepare for the event. In Koforidua the same format was followed, and the Founder's Speech was read by Rev. Gayina, followed by a toast and prayer for marriage blessing led by Mr. and Mrs. Aboagye. About 60 people attended, and five were appointed as Ambassadors for Peace.
3) Kumasi is the second largest city in Ghana, known as the "Garden City" due to the wide range of plants and flowers that grow in the region. On October 5, the Team traveled there to hold the rally. Kumasi is the capital of the Ashanti region, with a population of over a million. Brother Charles Owusu had gone there a week earlier to prepare for the event. A well-known imam opened the event with a prayer. The Founder’s Address was read by Rev. Gayina, followed by the toast and prayer for marriage blessing. Fifty-four persons attended, and eleven dignitaries were appointed as Ambassadors for Peace.
In Kumasi, the guest of honour was Nana Ampofo Kyei Baffour II, the representative of the King of Ashanti, who was also appointed as an Ambassador for Peace.
4) Takoradi. October 6 was the turn of Takoradi, the third largest city in Ghana and an important commercial and industrial area. It is the capital of the western region, with a population of over 500,000. The team joined Pastor Aidoo and Thomas Folly, who went there a week earlier to prepare for the event. In Takoradi, an imam opened the event with a prayer. The same format was followed as the previous rallies. Thirty-eight persons attended, and three people were appointed Ambassadors for Peace. The guest of honor was the mayor of the city, Mr. Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, who accepted the appointment as an Ambassador for Peace.
With some financial contribution from a Japanese volunteer and families associated with UPF-Ghana, rallies were held in these four cities. Rallies are planned for Cape Coast and Elubo.
Bearing the name of a proud culture that had flourished in ancient times, Ghana was the first sub-Saharan African nation to obtain independence from colonial rule and establish a modern nation in 1957. English is the main language spoken, sharing official status with nine local languages. In addition to Christianity, there are many Muslims and followers of indigenous African beliefs. The Republic of Ghana is located on the Atlantic Ocean, in the area once known as the "Gold Coast."
To read a message delivered at UPF peace rallies, click here.