Ghana on Friday joined the Switzerland community to celebrate the Switzerland National Day in Accra to remember the foundation of the nation some 734 years ago.In attendance were the Switzerland Ambassador in Ghana, Mrs Simeone Giger, staff of the Embassy, Swiss residents in Ghana, and people from all walks of life.Mrs Giger recounted Switzerland's history dating back centuries ago, in which representatives from the Swiss Confederation's three original cantons - Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden - formed a defensive alliance against external threats.She said they swore to each other: "We long to be one people, united as brothers.
No distress or danger shall separate us.
We want to be free, just like our fathers were."In this spirit of freedom, Mrs Giger said Switzerland had grown to what it is today: a "Willensnation" - a nation forged by will, consisting of 26 autonomous cantons.The Swiss Ambassador stated that her country also acknowledged the importance of sisters and mothers in holding the nation together.She said as the Swiss people reflect on the nation's founding here in Ghana, they cannot miss the striking similarities between Switzerland and Ghana.Mrs Giger said Switzerland and Ghana were founded on similar principles and values of desire of the people to be free and self-determining."We believe that the people should decide by whom they are governed.
And we see the diversity of our people as a source of strength, not as a weakness.
