By Simon Asare, GNA Special Correspondent to Scotland
Glasgow (Scotland), July 25, GNA – The ‘Ghana House’ has officially opened in Glasgow, unveiling a venue designed to showcase the country’s culture and strengthen international partnerships.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Madam Sabah Zita Benson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, described the facility as more than an exhibition or hospitality centre, calling it a symbol of Ghana’s engagement with the world.
“Ghana House is not simply an exhibition venue. Neither is it merely a hospitality centre. It is a national home.
“It represents Ghana’s presence, reflects our hospitality, celebrates our identity and welcomes our friends,” Madam Benson said.
The High Commissioner said the initiative aligned with Ghana’s broader diplomatic objectives, noting that modern international engagement extends beyond government-to-government relations to include culture, tourism, commerce, innovation and sport.
She said the venue would provide a meeting point for athletes, members of the Ghanaian diaspora, investors, businesses and visitors seeking to learn more about Ghana.
“Above all, it tells the story of a confident nation prepared to engage the international community with dignity, openness and purpose,” she added.
Mr Richard Akpokavie, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), said the opening of Ghana House underscored the growing role of sport as a platform for building relationships and fostering cooperation among nations.
“Today is far more than the opening of a venue,” Mr Akpokavie said. “It is a celebration of the enduring power of sport to unite people, inspire nations and build friendships that transcend borders, race, language and culture.”
He said while athletes remained at the centre of the Commonwealth Games, international sporting events had evolved into opportunities for dialogue, cultural exchange and business connections.
Mr Akpokavie lauded Team Ghana athletes, coaches and officials and acknowledged the support of the government, sports institutions and the Ghanaian community abroad.
“To our Ghanaian brothers and sisters resident in the United Kingdom and across Europe, we extend our deepest appreciation,” he said. “Your support for Team Ghana serves as a powerful reminder that national identity transcends geographical boundaries.”
Mr Kobena Woyome, Chairman of the Ghana House Coordination Committee, said the project emerged from discussions on how Ghana could derive broader national value from participation in major international sporting events.
He explained that the idea began as a proposal called “Ghana Village” before evolving into a larger concept that would combine cultural promotion, networking and national branding under one platform.
“The history of Ghana House did not begin with a building. It began with a conversation,” Mr Woyome said.
He said stakeholders recognised that modern sporting events had become gathering points for governments, entrepreneurs, investors, academics and cultural institutions, creating opportunities that extended beyond competition.
Notable dignitaries at the launch of Ghana House included Mr Kofi Iddie Adams, Minister for Sports and Recreation; Mr Gilbert Abeiku Aggrey, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority; and Mr Ernest Danso, Ghana’s Chef de Mission for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, among others.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Simon Asare
Email: [email protected]