Remarks by Commonwealth Secretary-General at the reception of All Party Parliamentary Group for Ghana and Ghana’s 69th Independence Day and Launch of the UK Black Stars List

I am honoured to be with you today as we celebrate Ghana’s 69th Independence Day and mark the launch of the UK Black Stars List. We offer our thanks, Mr Speaker, for your kind permission to host this event in these historic rooms. It is a generous gesture, and a meaningful one. And Bell — thank you for your leadership in bringing this celebration into the heart of Parliament. Your commitment to recognising British-Ghanaian excellence is something we all deeply appreciate. Independence Day is always a moment of reflection for Ghanaians, wherever we are in the world.

On 6 March 1957, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from colonial rule — a defining moment not only for our nation, but for a continent and the Diaspora. It represented courage, self-determination and belief in a better future. Nearly seven decades on, that spirit remains central to who we are.

Today, through our bilateral ties and through the Commonwealth, Ghana and the United Kingdom stand together as equal partners. That partnership has helped create the platform upon which so many outstanding contributions have been made. The UK Black Stars List recognises individuals of Ghanaian heritage who are shaping British society in remarkable ways — in business, public service, the arts, science, education, technology and beyond. These contributions enrich our lives — bringing joy, purpose, inspiration and connection. Each individual who has been nominated is worthy of our gratitude and respect.

But through them, I also want to recognise the wider Ghanaian community across the United Kingdom: people who work hard, who serve, who build, who create, who give back. The contributions may not always make headlines, but they strengthen communities every single day. I am also thinking of the nurse working the late shift in Manchester. The entrepreneur creating jobs in Birmingham. The teacher inspiring children in Tottenham. The young student navigating two identities with confidence and pride.

There is something distinctive about the Ghanaian diaspora: A strong emphasis on education. A deep respect for family and community. A commitment to service. And an enduring connection to home. We often speak of Sankofa — the idea that we move forward by remembering where we come from. That balance between heritage and ambition is something that so many British-Ghanaians embody with confidence.

As Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, I see how powerful diaspora communities can be. They build bridges between nations. They deepen understanding. They strengthen trade, culture and cooperation. They enhance possibilities

The relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom continues to evolve and deepen. It is people, not only politicians, who give that relationship strength — entrepreneurs, professionals, artists, parents and young leaders whose identities span both countries. That is partnership in its most human form. And of course, institutions matter too. To see British-Ghanaian excellence celebrated here, in the House of Commons, sends a powerful message: that talent, integrity and hard work are valued — and that heritage is a strength.

As a Ghanaian, it is personally meaningful to celebrate this anniversary in this setting. Ghana’s independence was about dignity and opportunity. Those same values underpin the Commonwealth today — democracy, equality, opportunity and a commitment to shared prosperity.

At a time when the world faces real uncertainty, those values matter more than ever. So today, we celebrate our history. We celebrate achievement. And we celebrate the enduring ties between Ghana and its diaspora here in the United Kingdom.

To all those recognised on the Black Stars List — ayekoo. Congratulations. May you continue to shine and to inspire others.

Happy 69th Independence Day to Ghana.

Me da mo ase.

Thank you.