Prince Charles holds reception for citizens of Commonwealth countries

• Posted on October 25, 2018
• by Ellsamwise King
• Comment

The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, yesterday held a reception for a cross-section of citizens of Commonwealth countries living in the United Kingdom (UK) at the St James’ Palace in London, ahead of their three-nation West African tour.

Hundreds of citizens from the three Commonwealth countries — Ghana, The Gambia and Nigeria — and notable British West Africans, including media practitioners, sportsmen and women, fashion designers, entrepreneurs, actors and actresses, musicians, opinion leaders and the clergy, had hours of personal interaction with the Royal couple.

The couple will visit Ghana, Nigeria and The Gambia from Wednesday, October 31 to November 8, 2018 at the request and on behalf of the British government.

The tour will celebrate the United Kingdom’s dynamic, forward-looking partnerships with Ghana, Nigeria and The Gambia on a range of shared priorities.

Relationship

Prince Charles is expected to use the visit to highlight key themes in the relationship between the UK and the three West African countries, including the importance of Commonwealth ties.

He is also expected to hold meetings with the leaders of the three countries on the future of the Commonwealth, as he prepares to take over from his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, as the Head of the Commonwealth.

Bilateral talks between Prince Charles and the leaders of the three countries will focus on strategies to enhance trade and investment between the UK and the member countries of the Commonwealth in West Africa, especially after Britain leaves the European Union in March next year.

During the last Commonwealth Summit in April this year, Queen Elizabeth announced that his son, Prince Charles, would work to take the mantle of leadership of the Commonwealth.

Benefits

The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr Iain Walker, expressed delight that the visit by the Royal couple would set the pace for a more fruitful relationship between Ghana and the UK.

He was optimistic that such a royal visit would be in the best interest of Ghana, particularly at the time when Ghana had positioned itself as a more prosperous and vibrant economy.

He praised Commonwealth citizens for their role in the UK and described it as important and positive towards a lasting relationship between their respective countries and the Commonwealth.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, Papa Owusu Ankoma, for his part, said the Royal reception was a positive sign of enhancing trade and investment avenues and unity among the people of West Africa.

He said Ghana was more focused on business and that the visit by Prince Charles would not only enhance unity but, more importantly, open avenues for intra sub-regional trade and investment.

Last official visit

The Prince of Wales’ last official visit to Ghana was in March 1977 but it will be first visit to Ghana by the Duchess of Cornwall.

He has been an active supporter of the Commonwealth for over 40 years and shows his support to the Commonwealth through official visits, military links, charitable activities and other special events.