There was some pomp and ceremony atttendant to the recent Commissioning of the Ghana Consulate in Bermuda.The event resulted in well-known local eye specialist Dr. Leonard Teye-Botchway becoming the Honorary Consul-General in Bermuda. And it was historic in that Ghana has become the first nation in the whole of the African continent to have an honorary consulate in Bermuda.Ghana’s High Commissioner in London, Professor Kawaku Danso-Boafa had intended to come to Bermuda to officiate along with Governor George Fergusson and Premier Paula Cox at the commissioning. But he sent instead his Deputy as a consequence of the untimely death in Accra of the country’s President, late Prof. John Atta-Mills, who incidentely was an uncle of Dr Teye-Botchway.Invited to attend the ceremony were Consuls from the nearly 20 nations with Consuls in Bermuda from as far away as Finland, Germany, France, Ireland and of course the US and Caribbean.Dr Teye-Botchway is an experienced opthalmatic surgeon with 16 years of comprehensive opthalmic experience in Bermuda. He was born in Ghana, educated at the University of Ghana Medical School; and at leading Opthamology Institutions in the UK. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Glasgow) and a member of several opthalmoligical societies in the UK and US. A leader in opthalmic care in Bermuda, for a period he was the sole opthalmic surgeon and physician in the Island.Governor Fergusson and Dr Teye-Botchway said they looked forward to trade between Bermuda and Ghana developing as a consequence of the new Consulate, to the benefit of both countries. It would provide a mechanism to increase trade and investment channels.“Ever since I stepped foot on this beautiful island I have observed a history of harmonious exchanges and interactions between Bermuda and Ghana,” said Dr Botchway. There are individuals and tour operators that regularly organise excursons to various parts of Ghana.On the educational front the Bermuda College has embarked on an initiative that would allow students from Bermuda to visit Aseshie University, which is one of the most technologically advanced institutions in Ghana; with students from that country visiting Bermuda. Already on the educational front Bermudian students in the US and Canada have been developing study programs in that nation.The new Consul added there are a significant number of Bermudians who have purchased property in Ghana, some of whom live there and have established various businesses there.Bermudian charities and missions and churches have been supporting orphanages, missions and churches.“To name a few, the First Church of God under leadership of Bishop Vernon Lambe and the Radnor Road Christian Fellowship under Bishop Neville Smith, have had mentorship relationships with Ghanian institutions for several years. And other Bermuda-based charities have supported programmes and missions there.”Dr Teye-Botchway added that a very active dance group in Bermuda has strong ties with Ghana. Several visits to that country have been arranged over the past years. He mentioned how Bermudians Ivan and Dawn Broadbelt have been instrumental in ensuring the existence of this dance troupe, which he has been mentored by a Ghanian Professor.