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The Embassy of Ghana in Mali on Wednesday organized a formal reception in commemoration of Ghana�s 56th Independence anniversary in Bamako. A press statement issued in Accra on Saturday by the Ghana Embassy in Mali said, the formal reception was led by Ghana�s Ambassador to Mali, Mr. Donald Adabre. It stated that Mr. Adabre in his speech said the mood of this year�s Independence celebration in Mali was gravely subdued because of the present difficulties the country was going through. �Ghana took solace in the fact that with the support of the international community the country was on track to fully recover her territorial integrity and to gradually regain her enviable place as one of the formidable and exemplary democracies on the African continent� it said. The statement noted that, Ghana found it expedient to send soldiers to Mali in aid of a friendly country, even after having contributed troops to several peace-keeping efforts across the world and thereby spreading itself thin afield in countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, D.R. Congo, Darfur in Sudan, Somalia and Lebanon. �Ghana�s gesture in that regard demonstrated the depth of cordiality existing between these two West African countries� it added. It entreated the compatriots living in Mali to continue to remain law-abiding and to cooperate with the security agencies in ensuring peace and security in the various communities in which they lived. ��while pursuing your legitimate businesses in Mali, continue to empathize with your host and to keep the country in your prayers because the peace and security of Mali invariably means your own peace of mind and safety� it added. It urged them to take pride in the fact that their compatriots were deeply involved in ensuring that Mali regained her freedom, unity and territorial integrity. The statement reminded the contingent of its obligation to safeguard the golden seeds of nationhood and democracy which had begun some 56 years ago. It said the modest gains of Ghana�s democracy needed to be protected and that sacrifice, integrity and dedication, honesty, hard work and selflessness were virtues Ghanaians must invest in as a legacy for their nation. It finally urged the officers and men of the contingent to uphold high the flag of Ghana in Mali and to pledge to protect the good name of the Motherland at all times.