Members of the Rwandan community in Ghana and friends of Rwanda this week commemorated the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

The event began with a walk to remember led by the representative of the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Protogene Nsengumuremyi.

Thereafter, Rwandans were joined by UN officials, representatives of Ghanain government, Officers from the military training academy in Accra, East African Community members and friends to Rwanda to mark the 22nd anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Protogene Nsengumuremyi, said that Genocide denial should be relentlessly fought because perpetrators of the crime and their backers continue to distort the truth about it.

He recalled that 22 years ago the international community failed its duty of protecting people in need.

‘‘The entire international community must draw lessons from the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and join forces in the fight against genocide ideology and denial,” he said.

International relations analyst and a lecturer at Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy, Dr VladmirAntwi-Danso, said the best way to fight a genocide mentality is to constantly remember the victims and to resolve that the future generations will never experience genocide again,”

He commended the people of Rwanda for rebuilding their country through their resolve to develop and build a society where there is no divisionism.

Cynthia Prah, of the United Nations Information Centre, delivered the UN Secretary General’s message, which centred on hate speech.

In the message, Ban Ki-Moon highlighted the role hate speech played in inciting division and violence. He noted that the Genocide was not a single event but part of a process that took time and preparation.

"One of the key warning signs is the spread of hate speech in public discourse and the media that target particular communities” Ban said.

Girmay Haile, from Eritrea, and a friend of Rwanda, emphasised the need for African countries to use homemade solutions since ‘‘we understand ourselves better.’’

He said that Rwanda has shown the whole world how good leadership is key to development of a nation.

"This is my 4th time attending a Kwibuka (rememberance) event in Ghana, I must say that Rwandans are a very proud people with strong resilience and strive to build their nation and that gives me confidence that genocide will never happen again in Rwanda”, he said.

In this year’s preparation, the Rwandan community in Ghana concentrated on students from universities to be partners in fighting Genocide ideology.

The day was concluded with gathering around"Igishyito” in the gardens where every one had a chance to light a candle as a symbol of hope and honour for all those who lost lives during the Genocide.

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