The Executive Chair of Softribe, who is often billed by the BBC as the Bill Gates of Africa, Mr. Herman Chinery- Hesse, has been out-doored as the Commonwealth Chair for Business and Technology Initiatives in Africa.

The outdooring ceremony was part of many activities to herald the Commonwealth Day which also marked the 70th Anniversary of the Association.

Mr. Apea, Africa Head of The Royal Commonwealth Society stated: “The Commonwealth theme for 2019, is ‘A connected Commonwealth’ is most appropriate as we outdoor Herman to lead out technology and business initiatives”.

He added: “We need jobs for the youth, businesses that compete internationally, we need functioning healthcare systems and a literate population. These drivers of any economy all sit on the bedrock of technology and business. I believe that we are in good hands”.

On the 11th of March 2019, Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, accompanied by The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and The Duke of York, attended the annual Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.

In Ghana, Commonwealth Day celebrations began with an impressive military -led Flag-raising ceremony at the forecourt of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey and Commonwealth Representative to Africa, Mr. John Apea.

This was followed by a well- organised Commonwealth Day Reception at the British Council, with Mr. Sam Okudzeto, Chair of The Commonwealth Human Rights Office and Council of State member acting as Chairman of the occasion and His Excellency the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Iain Walker delivering the keynote address.

Dignitaries at the event included Ivor Greenstreet, former Presidential candidate for the CPP; Amardeep Singh Hari, Founder of IPMC; Dentaa Amoateng, Founder of GUBA; Kwesi Arthur, Award-winning Musician and Kafui Dey, Media personality, to name but a few. Guests were treated to a confident display of debating on the hazards of plastics, by a cross section of students, during a mock Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The event concluded with Mrs. Claire Walker, wife of the British High Commissioner to Ghana and Member of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition Advisory Board for Ghana, and Mr. Hayford Siaw, Director-general of The Ghana Library Authority donating Braille Books to Akropong School of The Blind on behalf of BookAid international and the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth Day Service

Organised by The Royal Commonwealth Society, the Commonwealth Service is the largest inter-faith gathering in the United Kingdom and provides an opportunity to focus attention on this voluntary association of 53 countries and their commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, the rule of law and equality for its 2.4 billion citizens.

The Service was broadcast live on BBC One and across the BBC World Service, streamed live on the BBC YouTube channel and can be viewed at www.bbc.co.uk.