Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has been warmly received by the people of Malea, a picturesque fishing village on the island of Upolu, during the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Apia, Samoa.
The reception is significant in strengthening and cultural and diplomatic links between Ghana and the Pacific island nation of Samoa, as the community formally adopted Ghana as “their own.”
Heads of Government will on Saturday elect a new Secretary-General for the organization of 56 members and 1.68 billion citizens.
Ms. Botchwey is a candidate for the position, alongside Gambian foreign minister Dr. Mamadou Tangara and Joshua Setipa, a Mosotho diplomat and former Trade Minister.
Malea community elders and people met Ms. Botchwey and her delegation with great fanfare, involving singing, traditional dance and welcoming drinks of “kava”, a local beverage reputed to relax one’s nerves.
As the delegation entered Malie, they were presented with necklaces of “ava,” made of dried palm nuts, symbolizing honour and dignity. Ceremonial mats made of palm fronds carpeted the floor, with elders – men and women seated in anticipation of the special occasion.
Ghana flags lined the main street of Malie, and fluttered in the evening wind sweeping in from the Pacific Ocean.
Harmonious songs filled the air, with the villagers raising their voices in thanksgiving to God for the safe arrival of their guests.
The vibrant atmosphere of Malie was evident in every detail, from the villagers’ colourful attire to the freshly installed decor around their homes and public spaces.
The sweet fragrance of frangipani and hibiscus, which grows abundantly in Malie, blended with the sound of the conch shell, signalling the official start of the ceremony. Traditional chanting and singing echoed through the village, creating a powerful sense of connection between hosts and guests.
One of the most significant parts of the ceremony was the invitation extended to the Ghanaian delegation to participate in the Kava, or ‘Ava Ceremony. This ancient practice is central to Samoan cultural and social life and is steeped in deep historical meaning. The ceremony involves the preparation and sharing of the kava beverage, made from dried kava root powder.
Kava, known for its calming properties, is often consumed at important social gatherings, and in this case, represented respect, unity, and the building of strong bonds between Ghana and Samoa, a nation of approximately 230,000 people.
Ms. Botchwey assured the gathering that a request for a scholarship for a student from the community “would be given serious consideration.”
Ms. Botchwey presented them with gifts of chocolate, fabric and other items made in Ghana, and thanked them for their friendship and hospitality.
She noted the many cultural similarities between Ghana and Samoa, particularly the importance of community.
She said twinning a village in Ghana with Malie was an idea worth considering.
Each of the 55 out of 56 member countries attending the Heads of Government meeting has been assigned a village community to partner and establish long-term relations with.