The Israeli Embassy in Ghana, on Tuesday, organised a reception to mark the Jewish state’s 77th Independence anniversary at the plush Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra.

The colourful event, which was under the theme “Bridges of Hope”, saw many invited guests dressed in Israeli blue and white national colours.

In attendance were members of the diplomatic corps, traditional rulers, representatives of the Jewish community in Ghana, the clergy and government officials.

After proposing the toast, the Israeli Ambassador to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Mr Roey Gilad, together with his wife Nitza and a number of Israeli nationals, took the floor to perform a Jewish dance, which some dignitaries, including the Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, joined.

Some of the key personalities at the event were the Archbishop of the Action Chapel, Bishop Duncan Williams, and his wife, Rosa, a former trade negotiator and first Assistant US Trade Representative for Africa; Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin; and business executive and reverend minister, Dr Joyce Aryee.

The night, which featured the Yogev Shitrit Jazz Trio led by the renowned Israeli musician, Yogev Shitrit, entertained the guests with lovely Israeli tunes.

The Ghana Dance Ensemble put up a thrilling performance that showcased Ghana’s cultural heritage, while the Revival Restoration Centre Assemblies of God Choir provided some choral music.  

In his speech, Mr Roey Gilad said that the bilateral relations between Ghana and Israel started two years before Ghana gained its independence.

He explained that Ghana was the first African country that his country chose to establish an embassy, and that shows how far the cooperation between the two has grown.

He pointed out that it has come with its peculiar challenges, citing the geographic distance between the two states and the need for two flights to commute between them as a major challenge confronting the two nations.

“The financial crises that Ghana went through in 2022 and the war we are going through in Israel for the last year and a half that changed our order of priorities and consumed much of our resources,” he added.

Ambassador Roey Gilad, however, stated that, facing those challenges and others, the Israeli-Ghanaian partnership has been strengthened in areas such as agriculture, cybersecurity, high-tech, and defence, among other elements of the cooperation.

Concerning education, Mr Royed Gilad said that this year, for the first time, an Israeli professor will conduct a special seminar about “Current Israel” in one of the universities in Ghana.

He noted that there were dozens of Ghanaian soccer players, both men and women, playing in Israel.

He further disclosed that recently, the Ghana under-15 soccer team participated in a friendly tournament in Israel and won first place.

“Now, it is our mission, together with the Ghana Football Association, to bring the national team, the Black Stars, to Israel,” said Roed Gilad.

Touching on the unprecedented Hamas attack on his country, which claimed the lives of 1200 citizens, the Ambassador said out of the 251 captives, 59 are still held in Gaza after 578 days.

According to him, two of those victims are associated with the Israeli community in Ghana.

Speaking on behalf of the government of Ghana, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, congratulated the people of Israel on their 77th anniversary.

He said Israeli investments and expertise continue to make meaningful contributions to national development, adding that Israeli companies are actively doing business in Ghana, bringing innovation, creating jobs and helping build capacity across the critical sectors of the Ghanaian economy.  

Mr Adjei commended the Israeli government for its initiatives, such as the Ghana-Israel Agribusiness Innovation Centre and training programmes offered by Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation.

He was grateful that several Ghanaians have received vital skills and knowledge that continue to yield significant benefits.

He emphasised that these areas of collaboration reflect the common goals and strength of the bilateral ties between the two countries.

“As we mark this important day in Israel's history, we celebrate not only the achievements of the Israeli people but also the strong bonds of friendship that unite our two countries,” Mr Adjei remarked.