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Turkey is determined to use education as one of the strong pillars to enhance its cooperation with Ghana, the Turkish Ambassador to Ghana, Mrs Ozlem Ergun Ulueren, has said.

She said the establishment of the Maarif International School, which is operated by the Turkish Maarif Foundation, for example, would be instrumental in establishing perpetual links between Ghana and Turkey.

"I sincerely believe that the foundation of the International Maarif School in Accra will be instrumental to establish perpetual links between the two countries, between the two peoples," she said.

The ambassador was speaking at a ceremony to mark Turkey's National Sovereignty and Children's Day at the Maarif International School in Accra on April 23.

Children's day

April 23, 1920, was the date of the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the first Parliament of the Republic of Turkey.

However, in 1929, the republic's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, presented the April 23 festival as a gift to the children of the world.

In 1929, it was celebrated as Children's Day for the first time. In 1979, children from many countries of the world began visiting Turkey, giving the day international recognition.

Memory

"Today marks the foundation of the Turkish Grand National Assembly 101 years ago when Anatolia, our homeland, was invaded by the most powerful armies of the time. Thus, it is a remarkable day on which the Turkish nation declared sovereignty with utmost determination to end the invasion," she said.

She added that " the Commander General of the Turkish army during the War of Independence and the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, dedicated April 23 to the children of the world to emphasise that they are successors of the future.

"April 23 Children’s day in Turkey is a unique event that we celebrate with joy," she said.

The ambassador said the celebrations stayed as a part of the most colourful memories of her childhood.

"Excitement of taking part in colourful stagings and celebrations usually culminated with traditional Turkish shadow game “Karagöz and Hacivat,” have been unforgettable," she said.