Bermuda Day Grand Marshal 2018 – What We Share: Honouring Contributions as the Honorary Consul-General of Ghana
In September 2012, Ghana became the first nation in Africa to have an honorary consulate in Bermuda when well-known local eye specialist, Dr. Leonard Teye-Botchway, was appointed Honorary Consul-General in Bermuda. As a consequence, connections between Ghana and Bermuda have been strengthened to the benefit of both countries. For example, the Honorary Consulate of Ghana is able to provide entry visas, a vital service for individuals and tour operators visiting Ghana.
Born in Ghana, Dr. Teye-Botchway is an experienced and distinguished ophthalmologist who has been providing excellent ophthalmic care in Bermuda for over twenty years. He is the founder of the Bermuda International Institute of Ophthalmology (formerly the Bermuda International Eye Institute). In 2014, he was given the prestigious International Scholar Award by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has promoted continuing education and professional development for his staff through supervision, training and funding. Through his sponsorship, several Bermudian technicians have obtained various qualifications from the Joint Commission for Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology.
He has organised charitable events and regularly made donations to Age Concern, most notably to the Annual Eye Institute Race and Walk. In collaboration with Age Concern, his Institute has been regularly providing free health care services in the community.
For eight years he has served as technical advisor to the Bermuda Society for the Blind. He was the first Bermudian to be appointed an international classifier in visual impairment with the International Paralympic Committee and the International Blind Sports Federation, thus officially representing Bermuda in these organisations.
Note: Dr. Teye-Botchway passed in 2019.
