It brought together members of the diplomatic corps, the Ghanaian business fraternity, representatives of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Ghanaian government officials and the Rwandan Community in Ghana.

The day is celebrated at the national level in Rwanda every July 4 to mark the day the Rwandese Patriotic Army (RPA) put an end to the genocide against the Tutsi (an ethnic group) across Rwanda.

The High Commissioner of Rwanda in Ghana, Rosemary Mbabazi, in her remarks said since the opening of Rwanda’s first resident mission in Ghana in 2020, the two countries had signed a range of agreements in areas such as tourism and culture, trade and economic cooperation and also worked on tangible initiatives including vaccine manufacturing for Africa among others.

As a result, she said the movement between the two countries had increased, aided by regular Rwandair flights that connect Accra and Kigali, deepening business and formal education connections.

According to the ambassador, the decision of the Ghanaian government to cement the bilateral relations between Rwanda and Ghana by opening a resident High Commission in Rwanda, whose head of mission had already received agreement from the government of Rwanda, proved that “the cooperation can only give surge to new heights.”

Rwanda’s governance since independence she said was characterised by “divisionism and injustice” largely meted against the Tutsi group who for nearly four decades were targeted for periodic persecution.

She explained that at the climax of the campaign to bring an end to the dastardly acts, the then government and its allies devised a heinous plan to exterminate, perpetrating the genocide against the Tutsi.

“For the period of 100 days from April 7, 1994, the Tutsi in Rwanda were persecuted for just being Tutsi, and more than one million innocent people were killed.”

“The genocide against the Tutsi was halted thanks to the offensive mounted by the Rwandese Patriotic Army (RPA)-Inkotanyi, Army led at the time by Major Paul Kagame now President of the Republic, who on July 4, 1994 ousted the genocidal government, taking control of the Rwandan capital Kigali,” she added.

From a sharply divided nation that ended up in genocide, Ms Mbabazi said Rwanda had rebuilt its unity, adding that irrespective of gender, age, religion or region, all Rwandans enjoy equal access to resources and opportunities on merit.

She indicated that Rwanda would continue to “value peace and prosperity” while remaining eager to collaborate with other countries to achieve common goals.

The Deputy Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Mr Vincent Ekow Assafuah, speaking at the event said the legacy of the heroes who fought for “freedom, justice and dignity” for Rwanda would continue to inspire various governments in their quest for a world “where peace reigns and the promise of a better tomorrow shines brightly for all.”

He commended President Kagame for his visionary leadership and focus on driving Rwanda’s economic and social transformation.

“As we gather to commemorate the achievements of Rwanda, we must reflect upon the sacrifices made, the challenges overcome and the progress achieved on the arduous journey towards peace, reconciliation and prosperity,” he added.