Flashback: Prince Philip’s ‘love affair’ with Ghana

As the world mourns the passing of a British monarch, memories of encounters with him become even more precious recollection pieces about a man who is no longer with the living.

For Ghana, it was a love affair with Prince Philip.

The Duke of Edinburgh died at 99 on April 9, 2021. The cause of his death is unknown, but the husband of Queen Elizabeth II had been frequenting the doctor’s office in recent times.

Prince Philip’s death transcends the boundaries of the United Kingdom and would be felt by several countries, especially Commonwealth nations where he had ties.

Ghana is no exception as Prince Philip visited the West African nation about three times, together with Queen Elizabeth, and also alone.

Here in Ghana, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award would continue to reward youth excellence.

Locally, it is known as the Head of State Award Programme, and President Akufo-Addo cut the sod for a Gh¢5 million “Ghana Award House” just two days before the Duke’s death.

The President noted that the “completion of the Ghana Award House project will put Ghana ahead of many of the countries running the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award”, and will mean that Ghana “will be the second country in Africa, after the Presidents’ Award of Kenya, and one of the few countries globally, to have its own administrative office.”

However, the Duke will not be present at the completion of the structure associated with him.

As the world marks his passing, theghanareport.com recaps the visits of the Duke to Ghana.

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, first visited Ghana on 9–20 November 1961.

He accompanied Queen Elizabeth on their first trip to Ghana shortly after Ghana’s independence.

As then the President of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah, danced with the Queen, the Duke was also captured showing some dance moves with the then First Lady of Ghana, Madam Fathia Nkrumah.

 

The Duke of Edinburgh’s second visit to Ghana was in 1999, during late former president Rawlings’ regime.

This was towards the end of the tenure of Ghana’s longest-serving leader.

 

In July 2008, Prince Philip revisited Ghana, this time without his wife, the Queen of England.

He paid a four-day working visit during which he presided over the 30th triennial conference of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League (RCEL).

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will also visit Ghana on their tour starting next week. Their Royal Highnesses will attend a state banquet as well as attend several other engagements. #RoyalVisitGhana 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/KKC3fWGuwR

— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) October 24, 2018