special thanksgiving service has been held at the Most Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Accra to celebrate the life of Queen Elizabeth II, the late Monarch of the United Kingdom (UK) and ceremonial head of state to 14 other countries.
The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who was among the dignitaries at the service, on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the people of Ghana, extended his deepest condolences to King Charles III, the Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom (UK) and the Commonwealth of Nations.
“As we celebrate a great woman who was an embodiment of virtue, courage and affection, it is my prayer that God will accept her gentle soul to a peaceful rest,” he said.
Also at the special service was the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and staff of the British High Commission in Ghana.
Commonwealth
As a member of the Commonwealth, Dr Bawumia said Ghana had a historic relationship with the UK and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
To that end, he said, the passing of the Queen had been received in Ghana with heavy hearts, culminating in President Akufo-Addo directing that all official flags in the country be flown at half mast for seven days.
“The highpoints of Ghana’s relationship with Her Majesty were in the years 1961 and 1999 with her official visits. Indeed, in her 1961 visit, a special high-life tune entitled Welcome Your Majesty, was composed in her honour,” he indicated, adding that “her famous dance with Ghana’s first President and influential Pan-Africanist, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, at a farewell ball in Accra in 1961, was described by scholars as both symbolic and significant to the Commonwealth.”
Tribute
While paying tribute to the late British monarch, Vice-President Bawumia said she showed remarkable leadership in an era marked by strong anti-colonial and independence waves on the African continent in the 1950s and 1960s and It was, therefore, not surprising that under her reign the Commonwealth saw such a huge transformation.
“Though her passing came as a shock to us, her 96-year-old long life and 70 years of reign as Queen of the UK and the Realms and head of the Commonwealth are worth celebrating,” he said.
“In these roles, Her Majesty had a yeoman’s task of overseeing the transition of Great Britain from the tensions of the post-World War II era, especially the Cold War, playing an instrumental role in granting independence to former British colonies, one of which is our beloved Ghana, and contributing immensely to the relative peace the world has enjoyed since the end of the Second World War,” Vice-President Bawumia stated.
Indeed, at the time of her passing, Dr Bawumia said, the Commonwealth had become so attractive that even non-anglophone countries were applying to join.
He said the Queen demonstrated that one of the marks of leadership was to accept change and made the best of it.
“Today, we do not only celebrate the life of an individual, but we are also celebrating the quintessence of selfless public service and leadership in the modern era,” Dr Bawumia stated.
High Commissioner
The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, described Queen Elizabeth II as a great leader who led in her own unique way.
She said the leadership of the Queen was one of dedicated service and that she led with courage, strength and determination but also with warmth, affection and humility.
Ms Thompson said the Queen led a life of devoted duty until the very end and that “we could all learn one or two of her example and the world will be a better place”.
Thanksgiving
In a homily, the Primate, Church of the Province of West Africa, Archbishop of Internal Province of Ghana and Bishop of Asante Mampong, Most Rev. Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith, thanked God for the life and the witness of the Queen who, he said, was also the spiritual head of the Anglican Church in the UK and also of the Anglican fraternity.
He said one thing that motivated the late Queen and inspired her above all else was her Christian faith.
Most Rev. Ben-Smith described the service as one of gratitude and remembrance and said: “We join our hearts to give thanks to God for the gift of such a precious jewel to the world these past 70 years.”
He prayed to God to be the tower of strength to King Charles III, President Akufo-Addo and Vice-President Bawumia as well as those in authority in the country.
Dwelling on the word “thanks”, the Anglican Archbishop said: “All must think through the tails of their lives and help, accept the plans and strategy as well as our own limitations no matter our level, identity and what we stand for.”
“Let’s remain resolute and trust in God and the plans he has. The good days are coming and we will resurrect economically. Let us take our nation seriously and be patriotic. Let’s learn to be of service to one another and to the nation,” Most Rev. Dr Ben-Smith advised.
