Features
Fare thee well, Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth waves goodbye to the world
The announcement by Buckingham Palace concerning the death of Queen Elizabeth II has sent a wave of sadness across the world.
Having been enthroned as Queen of the United Kingdom in 1952, the late leader was able to fulfill many official engagements involving the United Kingdom within and outside UK.
She visited Ghana on two occasions, that is, 1961 and 1999. On one occasion she was the Special Guest of Honour in Ghana in 1961 to participate in the country’s post-Presidential days after Ghana had decided to use Kwame Nkrumah as its own President. So glamorous was she that Ghanaians at the time felt very proud about the diplomatic relations between Ghana and the United Kingdom. The Queen is blessed with many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The royal family in UK feels very proud about and will do everything to protect her and the royal family and tradition.
In line with tradition and culture, the British will observe 12 days of mourning during which the state will declare the period as holidays in honour of the late Queen.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has, on behalf of the government and people of Ghana, expressed his condolences to the royal family and people of Britain. This is a sad moment for our British friends but the sadness is shared by all Ghanaians, the Commonwealth of Nations and the world as a whole.
The world has a lot to learn from the beautiful quality of the late Queen. Her beautiful and infectious smile was the envy of people in the world.
Again, her language of diplomacy and unique advice to the royal family as well as government officials would be missed by those who benefitted from such advice, guidance and counselling. There is no doubt that the world as a whole will miss her dearly.
The presence of the Queen at functions added special grace to all those occasions. Many nationals of different countries felt proud and greatly honoured by her presence.
One of the latest events she attended publicly was the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. On that occasion she encouraged members of the Commonwealth to stay together and promote the interest of the Commonwealth and the world through the Games.
United Kingdom together with the world has lost an important personality who will be missed by the world. It is not only the UK which has lost this gem of a Queen but the entire universe of mankind.
The royal system in the United Kingdom has been preserved over the years till today, in line with British customs and traditions. This has helped to preserve the identity of that country.
This is a big lesson to all countries to emulate and preserve their values and norms in line with their own prospective practices. Again, the way in which the death of the Queen was announced is very admirable.
Members of the royal family first gathered and took a decision on the death of the Queen before allowing Buckingham Palace to make announcement of the death. This was picked by the British Broadcasting Corporation and announced to the world.
Thus everything was done in an orderly manner. What this means is that, when it comes to announcement of the passing of the royal, it cannot be done any how or in a haphazard manner, but in a well-rehearsed, smooth and meaningful manner acceptable to the people in line with customs, norms and belief systems.
This is a great lesson that we cannot ignore.
Furthermore, it is instructive to note that the news of the passing was broadcast by the national broadcaster after receiving it at the Buckingham Palace. Another lesson here is that those who serve on the national network must be fair, committed, diligent and responsible.
Anyone who wants to be respected on the national network should have accommodation for such values and principles.
After passing away at age 96, the Queen kept to certain basic principles of health. First, she doid not eat just any food but balanced diet to keep her body healthy. She took time also to rest whenever she found it necessary to do so.
Again, she took in enough water and exercised her body. She undertook all this on regular basis. No wonder, she stayed long till age 96.
The great leader is without blemish, but she would be remembered for all the good things she stood for. Having been on the throne for 70 years she played a critical role in the transformation and growth of the Commonwealth of Nations.
This seeks to bring all former British colonies together and promote their common interests. Under the Commonwealth, certain achievements were made. First of all, the Commonwealth has helped to promote peace and security not only in Commonwealth but in the world as a whole.
In addition, there has been technical cooperation between the UK, on one hand, and the Commonwealth countries, on the other. Also, various forms of assistance have been made available to the Commonwealth countries.
All these have helped to promote socio-economic development in various parts of the world. The role of the Queen in the world has also helped to bring about pleasant diplomatic relations in all parts of the world. Her personal qualities as a Queen are enviable. Her language of diplomacy and tact as well as prospect for everyone go to show that we need to build healthy relationships with one another irrespective of colour, belief, race and practices, among others.
The visit of the Queen to Ghana on two occasions portrays her as a lover of the country. In 2001, for example, she singled out Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to propose a toast in Canada during a Commonwealth Summit in that country.
The demise of the Queen is a big blow to the world. It is expected that her successor, having followed the role she played on this earth, will also work hard to emulate the attitude and lifestyle of the late Queen who demonstrated that she was a Queen mother not only in the United Kingdom but to the world as a whole.
Countries must keep to their norms and values so that like the people in the UK, their identity as a people will be preserved and kept afresh for the present and future generations. This is how the beauty and tradition can be blended and kept together for the good of mankind on this earth.
Queen Elizabeth II would be remembered at all times because she paid her due as a world leader.
May her soul rest in perfect peace.
BY DR. KOFI AMPONSAH-BEDIAKO
Email address/whatsApp number of author:
Pradmat201@gmail.com (0553318911)
Today, I focus on the Apostolic Church International in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The Apostolic Church International, Finland (or, Apostolic International Association Ry) was established in October 9, 2023. The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
History of the Church in Ghana
The Apostolic Church Ghana originated from the 1904–1905 Welsh revival, officially established in Ghana (then called Gold Coast) in 1935 following connections between a local prayer group in Asamankese (a town in southern Ghana), led by Peter Newman Anim, and the Apostolic Church, UK. There were historical splits in 1939 and 1953, but the Apostolic Church attained autonomy in 1985.
Today, the Church is headquartered in Accra. Last year (2025), it dedicated its new 10-storey headquarters, “The Apostolic Church Tower,” in Frafraha, Adenta West in Accra.
Activities of the Apostolic Church in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11a.m. in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. in the afternoon. There are no other activities during other days for now.
The Minister in charge of the church in Finland is also the Area Head of Italy Area. He is Pastor Daniel Kofi Addison who is the new Italy Area Head, and has just been transferred from UK South Area to Italy Area during the just-ended Council Meeting in March this year. Italy Area comprises Italy, which has 13 Assemblies, Germany, one Assembly, and Finland, one Assembly.
Elder Ebenezer Amoaning-Coffie is the Presiding Elder in charge of the Assembly in Finland. A Presiding Elder is responsible for day to day activities of the church (Assembly) and reports to the District Pastor, or in the absence of the District Pastor, reports to the Area Head.
Achievements
The Apostolic Church International, Finland was officially registered under the Finnish Law, guaranteeing freedom of worship and providing legal foundation for future growth. The church service is conducted in both English and Twi.
The church opens its doors to all people of every nation, especially Ghanaians who are in Finland and other African nationals. Now, the membership comprises Ghanaians, Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
The Church and the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the Apostolic Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
Elder Amoaning-Coffie said that the main and primary aim of the church is to bring people closer to God. “We aim to win souls for Christ. We aim to preach the gospel to the world. By propagating the gospel to the people, we are hopeful that they will turn away from any ungodly ways and be good individuals in the community and in society in general”, he stated.
He said that everything is going well so far. A key challenge, however, is how to get more members especially the youth. As a new Assembly, we are in need of instrumentalists, for example. We pray to God Almighty to help us do His work, the Elder disclosed.
Integration
By its activities, the Apostolic Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society. This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Apostolic Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
The landscape of the Ghanaian palate is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. In our bustling urban centres, from the streets of Accra to the suburbs of Kumasi, a quiet culinary revolution is taking place; one where the mortar and pestle are being replaced by the pizza oven and the deep fryer. This transition from traditional staple foods like fufu, banku, akple, kenkey, tuo zaafi, and ampesi toward “continental” dishes is more than just a change in appetite; it is a reflection of a deeper social struggle with identity and prestige.
The illusion of modernity
For many, “stepping out” for a meal has become synonymous with consuming foreign cuisine. There is an unspoken social hierarchy where a bowl of Abunuabunu is relegated to the village category, while burgers, pizzas are branded as prestigious choices. We have reached a stage where we equate foreign with modern and local with primitive.
This perception is a dangerous illusion. Our traditional dishes are marvels of culinary engineering complex, nutrient-dense, and deeply rooted in our history. When we choose a processed foreign import over a meal made from local tubers or fermented maize, we are not just changing our lunch; we are eroding the indigenous knowledge attached to our local ingredients and foods.
We need to turn the consumption of indigenous grains and tubers like millet, sorghum, and plantain into a statement of self-worth and national pride.
The cultural and health erosion
Every time a local dish disappears from a restaurant menu to make room for foreign fast food, we lose a piece of our cultural fabric. Traditional Ghanaian cooking is an art that requires patience and skill. By choosing the convenience of foreign fast food, we are raising a generation that may know the taste of a pepperoni pizza but cannot identify the rich, earthy profile of Prekese or the subtle tang of well-fermented dough dishes like corn porridge, banku, etew, abolo, agidi or kamfa, and kenkey.
Furthermore, we are at the crossroads of a nutrition transition. Replacing high-fiber, indigenous crops with calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foreign fast foods is driving a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and liver disease. We are trading our longevity for 15-minutes convenience or unhealthy diet.
A call for culinary patriotism
It is time for us to appreciate, preserve, and promote our indigenous foods and culinary traditions. We need to be proud of our local dishes, ingredients and cooking methods, rather than relying heavily on foreign or imported foods. We must stop viewing our local delicacies as low-class and start treating our culinary heritage as the high-end gastronomy it truly is.
True sophistication does not come from imitating Western fast food; it comes from innovation and adding values to our own resources. We see glimpses of this potential in the rise of branded Sobolo and the creative use of gluten-free plantain flour in modern baking of flour-based dishes such as bread, cakes, biscuits and others. This is the path forward. We must elevate our local dishes, making them as accessible, affordable, presentable and trendy as any foreign alternative.
To the hospitality industry: Innovate or stagnate
Our hotels and high-end restaurants must lead the charge. They must stop relegating local dishes to the “traditional corner” of the buffet, and apply the same culinary finesse given to imported dishes to our Fante Fante, apapransa, aborbi tadi, fetritoto, akple, abolo, yakayeke, fufu, ampesi, kokonte, wasawasa, tubani, apapransa, mpotompoto, kelewele, aliha, brukutu, pito, and other local dishes. The industry must enhance customer experiences making eating local dishes the ultimate luxury experience for both tourists and residents alike. We must elevate the presentation of our foods by using modern plating techniques to show that a bowl of light soup can be as visually stunning as a French consommé. We need to reclaim our Ghanaian plate before it is too late.
To the policy makers: Let us encourage buying of local ingredients to promote the local food industry and economy. There should be educational programmes and talks about the nutritional and cultural benefits of local foods so that people understand their value.
We need to encourage serving traditional dishes at school programmes, parties, and celebrations instead of only fast foods,
To the Youth: Let us value and appreciate our traditional dishes instead of always choosing foreign foods. There must be balance in our choice of local and foreign dishes. Confidence in our culture encourages others to respect it too. Our local dishes can also be promoted by sharing pictures, recipes, and videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to make them attractive and trendy.
Young citizens must learn from their parents and elders how to prepare local meals to keep the knowledge and cultural relevance alive. Local dishes can be modernised to appeal to younger generations and tourists.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to trade our heritage for foreign cuisines which are gaining grounds across the country at an alarming rate. We must disabuse our minds of the perception that anything foreign or imported is better than those locally made. Our health, economy, and identity are tied to the soil. It is time to stop apologising for our local flavours and start celebrating them. It is possible to embrace modernity without losing ourselves and our cultural identity. Let us make the Ghanaian kitchen the heart of our modern identity once again.
By: Marilyn Gadogbe
