SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF GOVERNMENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE 65TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BY THE HIGH COMMISSION OF THE TOGOLESE REPUBLIC IN ACCRA, ON SUNDAY, 27TH APRIL, 2025 AT 6:00P.M
Source: ministry_of_communications_ghana

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF GOVERNMENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE 65TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BY THE HIGH COMMISSION OF THE TOGOLESE REPUBLIC IN ACCRA, ON SUNDAY, 27TH APRIL, 2025 AT 6:00P.M. Your Excellency, Col. Awoki Panassa, the High Commissioner of the Togolese Republic to Ghana, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Your Excellencies, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Nananom, Nii Mei, Naa Mei, Religious Leaders, Distinguished Guests, Members of the Press, Members of the Togolese community residing in Ghana, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is with profound honour and sincere appreciation that I address you this evening, on behalf of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, as well as the Government and people of Ghana, as Ghana joins in celebrating the 65 th anniversary of the independence of our dear brother nation, the Togolese Republic. Permit me, to convey warmest felicitations from His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana to his brother and colleague, His Excellency President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the Government, and the brotherly people of Togo on this momentous milestone. Sixty -five years (65 th) of nationhood is indeed a testament to the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of the Togolese people’s journey marked by determination, progress, and the unwavering pursuit of peace, unity, and development. Your Excellencies, Your powerful and comprehensive statement this evening has not only highlighted the achievements of Togo in political, economic and social fields, but has also demonstrated the depth of the fraternal ties that unite our two nations. I am sincerely touched by the kind words and warm wishes extended to President John Dramani Mahama, the Government, and people of Ghana. Indeed, Ghana and Togo are more than neighbours, we are bound by a shared history through ethnic ties, cultural affinity, interwoven communities. From Keta to Lomé, from Aflao to Dapaong, the harmony in our border communities bears testimony to the enduring relationship between our peoples and exemplifies the spirit of peaceful coexistence and neighbourly cooperation that we so deeply cherish. Ladies and Gentlemen, The reactivation of Togo’s Independence Day celebrations in Ghana after more than a decade is not merely ceremonial, it is a powerful gesture; One that rekindles our shared aspirations and provides an opportunity to reaffirm our bonds of cooperation, friendship, and solidarity. Your Excellency, We have listened with keen interest to your exposition of the rich overview of our bilateral cooperation. That is from the operationalization of the Noépé -Akanu Joint Border Post to the exemplary collaboration on maritime boundaries, water access, security, agriculture, telecommunications, and education. Being the tangible results of our shared efforts, they speak volumes. Deserving of special recognition is the longstanding academic cooperation between Ghana and Togo, exemplified by the partnership between the University of Lomé’s Village of Benin and the Ghanaian Ministry of Education. This initiative has greatly enhanced linguistic and cultural ties, while nurturing generations of Ghanaians proficient in the French language as a vital asset in today’s increasingly interconnected world. This is a partnership we deeply value and remain committed to strengthening. Your Excellencies, Ghana takes pride in deepening our bilateral engagement across all sectors. As you rightly mentioned, the Ghana -Togo Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation remains a vital mechanism for structured dialogue and collaboration. The Government of Ghana is open and ready to work closely with our Togolese counterparts toward the timely reactivation of this Commission in the near future. The government of Ghana also commend Togo’s bold steps in political reform and governance, notably the transition to a parliamentary system, the strengthening of democratic institutions and the creation of new frameworks for transparency and accountability. These efforts underscore the Togolese Government’s commitment to sustainable governance and inclusive development, and Ghana stands in solidarity with you in this endeavour. Ghana remains firmly committed to its partnership with the Togolese Republic, underpinned by the principles of mutual respect, non-interference, regional integration, and Pan-African solidarity. As both countries continue to embrace the transformative promise of initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we are confident that our cooperation will yield even greater dividends for our peoples. Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, I wish to extend heartfelt appreciation to the High Commission of the Togolese Republic for the gracious invitation and for the impeccable organization of this commemorative event. I also acknowledge the contributions of the Togolese community in Ghana, whose dynamism and cultural richness continue to strengthen the fabric of our society. May I now invite you to kindly join me in a toast: ● To the enduring friendship, peace, and cooperation between the Republic of Ghana and the Togolese Republic; ● To the continued peace, prosperity, and unity of the Togolese people. Long live Togo! Long live Ghana! Long live the friendship between our two nations! Thank you. Merci.