Last month, students from LUG had the honor of attending the 30th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The event, hosted by the Rwanda High Commission in Ghana in collaboration with the Rwandan community in Ghana, called upon the global community to bring perpetrators to justice while educating present and future generations about the tragic events of 1994.
Held in Accra, the event marked the climax of a series of activities organized throughout the year to commemorate the Genocide against the Tutsi.
Among the dignitaries present were Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mavis Nkansah Boadu; United Nations Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Meher Kheir; and General (Rrtd) Henri Kwami Anyidoho, along with leaders of the Ghana Police Service.
Rosemary Mbabazi, the High Commissioner of Rwanda in Ghana, expressed gratitude to the countries that supported Rwanda during its darkest moments. She called upon world leaders, citizens, and friends of Rwanda to stand together against hate speech, discrimination, and genocide denial by working together to uphold truth and justice.
“Thirty years ago, the world abandoned Rwandans to their bitter end,” said High Commissioner Mbabazi. “For the past three decades, the world has continued to abandon Rwandans by not ensuring that justice gets served. Fugitives incriminated in the Genocide against the Tutsi still roam freely. The world can and should do better.”
She emphasized the importance of continuous education about genocide, particularly the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, by including educational modules in schools. “Only then can we make progress toward our global promise of ‘genocide never again.'”
Deputy Minister Mavis Nkansah Boadu reaffirmed the Government of Ghana’s support for Rwanda’s quest to uphold peace, unity, and humanity in honor of the victims and their families. “The fight against genocide and mass atrocities is a collective responsibility,” she stated. “As members of the international community, we must strengthen our resolve to prevent such tragedies, promote human rights, and uphold the dignity of every individual.”
Other notable speakers included UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Charles Abani; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Meher Kheir; and Dr. Odette Nyiramilimo, a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The commemoration officially begins each year on April 7th, the day the genocide started, and continues for 100 days, representing the period during which more than a million people were killed. The events serve as a poignant reminder of the importance of remembrance and the global commitment to preventing such atrocities in the future.
LUG is proud of its students’ participation in this significant event and remains committed to fostering a community that stands for peace, unity, and justice.
