Ghanaians with Austrian background living in Yorkshire have come under one banner to promote their common objectives and to ensure fuller integration into the British society.
Addressing members and guests at the ceremony the leader of the union Mr Patrick Mensah who requested to draw wisdom from Holy Scriptures said a city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put under a bowl rather it is placed on a stand to give light to everybody in that house, apparently referring to the union being outdoored.
The leader further described the union as real heavy weight within the Ghanaian community in Leeds and Yorkshire as a whole and they can no longer hide behind the scene. He called on guests to support the union in what it stands for and hope to achieve for the community in Leeds.
Ending his address Mr Mensah said the union will continue to be like the proverbial salt “ we shall strive to keep our taste so we are not thrown down and trampled upon.” He promised the union will do everything necessary to achieve what is enshrined in their constitution, the prime of which is to promote the interest of their members, Austria and Ghana.
A message from the Austrian Consulate in the United Kingdom congratulated the union on behalf of the President of Austria for opening another chapter of the association of Austrians in the Diaspora. The Austria’s Ambassador to the UK also the guest of honour apologised for not being able to attend the inauguration due to preparations to receive the Austrian contingent for the Olympic games.
The ambassador who promised to pay the union a visit sometime added that the consulate is very much interested in what the union was doing because among the clubs of Austrians from different ethnic backgrounds it is the first of its kind from African origin. She said the consulate is firmly behind the union and prepared to support it by any means necessary.
The event was attended by delegates from sister unions all over the United Kingdom and Ghana Union Austria headed by their national Chairperson. Chairing the occasion Rev. George Asomaning a prominent member of the Ghanaian community in Leeds urged all Ghanaians to show interest in developments back home in Ghana. He said by working together, Ghanaians in the Diaspora can press for rights to be able to vote from overseas during the election of political leaders in Ghana.
The atmosphere was splendid. The SDA choir and a group of Presbyterians from Leeds treated the gathering to gospel music. Mr P. Mills narrated in style traditional attributes in honour of communities in Ghana. The well attended event hosted a large number of youth making friends and enjoying the free traditional dishes.
Inset:
Some members of
Ghana-Austria Union,
Yorkshire, dancing to
hi-life music
