Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung@ 40 in Ghana Fraternity Message from ABANTU for Development to Friedrich- Ebert- Stiftung(FES) on the Occasion of FES' 40th Anniversary in Ghana On the occasion to mark 40 years of the commencement of operations by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation(FES) in Ghana, ABANTU for Development wishes to extend fraternal greetings and congratulates FES on this historic milestone. Over the years, ABANTU has collaborated with FES because of our desire to link up with those who share the same aspirations of promoting the tenets of true democracy that are unfortunately delineated by deep structural imbalances and underlying inequities. In the last forty(4O) years in Ghana, the name of FES has become synonymous with the promotion of constitutionality, good governance and support for the advancement of gender equality. The pioneering initiatives you have undertaken in collaboration with various Civil Society Organisations(CSOs), the academia, policy­makers and with a broad spectrum of other actors within the development arena have helped in no small way to maintain the issue of human rights on the radar of national consciousness. ABANTU is extremely appreciative of Friedrich Ebert Foundation's unqualified support and commitment to various projects that focus on ensuring women's heightened visibility in and impact on public life in Ghana and beyond. FES was among the first organisations which played a very significant role in supporting the development of The Women's Manifesto for Ghana document. We recognise your concerted and strategic role in ensuring the successful hosting of the 2005 Continental Women's Conference, which created and established a platform to strengthen and consolidate the bond of network, solidarity and cooperation between gender-based institutions, academia and other actors on gender issues on the African continent. 76