Queen Elizabeth memorable second visit to Ghana

The British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth paid her second visit to Ghana in 38 years from Sunday, November 7 to Tuesday, November 9. GRi's MAWULI SOGBEY was among the Journalists who followed her trail.

After 38 years of her last visit, Ghanaians were privileged once again to play host to her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and her husband his Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh from the 7^th to 9^th November 99.

At exactly 5.45 PM on the 7^th November 99, the chartered British Airways plane carrying the royal couple and their entourage touched down on the tarmac of Kotoka International Airport signifying the historic second coming of the British Monarch to Ghana.

Immediately she stepped into the warm Ghanaian atmosphere in a blue dress and white shoes to match, the army band that had been waiting for her for several hours, struck the national anthems of both countries.

The applause that greeted her arrival was spontaneous and nostalgic feelings were brought back, as those over 50 years among the crowd and who still remember the words, were seen singing 'God Save the Queen' along with the band.

The Queen then inspected a guard of honour while a 21-gun salute boomed in the background to announce the arrival of the Monarch who until 38 years ago was the Head of State of Ghana.

As the royal couple was being introduced to government officials and dignitaries present, security men had a tough time trying to prevent milling crowd as they tried to break the security cordon in their eagerness to catch a better glimpse of them.

So enthusiastic were Ghanaians in their welcome for the Queen that they lined the streets in their numbers to wave miniature Ghana and British flag at her as she drove through some of the principal streets on her way to an official welcoming reception at the plush Accra International Conference Centre. Range Rover, purchased especially for the visit.

Judging from the schedule planned for her, three days did not seem enough for the royal couple, because they had only one full day to accomplish the tall order that had been set for them.

Monday, November 8^th was the only full day that the royal couple were to spend in Ghana.

Her day's itinerary included, discussions at the Castle with President Rawlings, a state ride, address to Parliament, special guest of honour at a durbar of the chiefs and people, a visit to a primary school and an official banquet.

Prince Philip was meanwhile expected to visit the Armed Forces Command and College, Millennium Meridian project at Tema, PZ company and meet with the holders of the head of state of award.

If the programme was punishing, the royal couple did not show it as they put up a cheerful and graceful face anywhere they went.

The high point of the Queen's visit seem to be her address in Parliament where she gave a thought-provoking speech and hoped for peaceful change of office when President Rawlings' term ends next year.

She paid glowing tribute to Ghana’s contribution of troops to the West African military command, ECOMOG in Sierra Leone and Liberia saying ‘it helped to bring peace to those unhappy lands’

She said a good example of the depth of relationship between the two governments is the co-operation between the British and Ghanaian Armed Forces. According to her, for over 30 years the British Military Advisory and Training Team and the Ghana Armed Forces Command and the Staff College have worked together to train military personnel to the highest international standards.

"Equity and justice are key to stability, that is why the UK supports Ghana with a 40 million pound yearly assistance to supports projects in Ghana, " the Queen said.

She commended Ghana for embracing the concept of pluralism in its politics and hoped next year’s elections would be free and fair. She said when this is achieved; it would demonstrate that the political change and freedom, which Ghana enjoys has taken root.

Attesting to the strong bonds that exist between the two countries, Queen Elizabeth said there are more than 200,000 British citizens of Ghanaian descent living in the United Kingdom including one of her ministers, Kweku Boateng, who was born in Ghana.

She stated that Ghanaians are making valuable and dynamic contribution in the area of arts in the British society as well as displaying their good entrepreneurial flair to the benefit of the British economy.

There was a bit of a let down among the chiefs and people who had assembled at the durbar grounds when the Queen made a brief a appearance and did not address the gathering. Many were those who had put on their best dress and had endured the scorching sun to hear speak. Instead it was the British High Commissioner in Ghana, Ian Mackly, who addressed them and extended her Majesty's regrets for not speaking to them.

The Queen however appeared to have enjoyed the variety of cultural displays lined up for her, including a special choreographed 'Akwaaba' dance was performed by school children drawn from primary schools in Accra.

But the public had their fill of the royal couple when they undertook a 30-minute state drive with their host, the first family and some dignitaries after her address to Parliament. The drive took them to Kwame Nkrumah circle to Accra Central. Everywhere they turned the crowds were there to cheer them on.

The visit to the Castle, the seat of the government, must have brought back fond memories to the Queen as she must have recollected scenes of her visit 38 years ago when she lodged there.

The Castle meeting also provided the avenue for the exchange of gifts between the royal and the Ghanaian First family.

President Rawlings presented a Kente cloth the Prince Philip and Nana Konadu gave to the Queen gold jewellery made up of earrings, necklace and bracelet.

The Queen on her part presented a bronze Arab stallion made by Henry Alfred Marie Jacqemaart to the President while Nana Konadu Rawlings had a jewel box constructed in Sycamore with royal cipher inlaid on the lid. The box also had blue Ameratta line with brass fittings and a key.

The Queen visit to the La Wireless School where Britain is founding a project that will equip the school's library with books provided an opportunity for the pupils the rare opportunity of interacting with the British royalty, whose pictures they had only seen pictures.

The Duke during his the Peace-Keeping library, constructed and equipped by the British Government.

Later in the evening a state Banquet was held in honour of the Royal couple

Two round off their second visit to country which was the first in Africa to break from the strangle hold of British colonialism.

Unlike 38 years ago when the much younger Queen took to the floor, with President Nkrumah, to the beat of the now popular 'Akwaaba, Queen Elizabeth' composed by the late King Bruce especially for her visit, the Queen did not dance this time round.

Instead she looked on with great interest as Nana Konadu did the 'Agbdza' with Foreign Minister, Victor Gbeho.

At the end of it all she bordered the British Airway plane to Durban, South Africa, the next day for the Commonwealth Heads of State and Governments summit, it was clear that another chapter has been written in Ghana-UK relationship that will go to further deepen the already cordial relations between them.

GRi