The Ambassador stated that under the leadership of His Excellency President John Evans Atta Mills Ghana will continue to make giant strides in her development.

He therefore, urged Ghanaians to support the Better Ghana agenda towards the regeneration of the country. According to him, “the future of Ghana is very bright and we must seek the interest of Mother Ghana and assist in the nation building”.

Ambassador Christian addressed a cross section of US-based Ghanaians recalled the significant contributions made by the Big Six, the heroic role of Ghana’s first president - Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his comrades of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) as well as the many unsung heroes in the struggle for the independence”.

He restated President Mills’ commitment to run a transparent and accountable government and assured Ghanaians that an independent authority would be established to manage revenue from Ghana’s recently discovered oil.

He said the President, by adopting of these measures and other best practices, oil would be a blessing and not a curse to Ghanaians.

The ambassador said that the Better Ghana agenda revolves around the youth and thus, government was committed to investing in the youth in order to build the critical mass that will not only sustain the development agenda, but more importantly, move Ghana to greater heights.

He however admitted that, “as a nation we have had our setbacks and successes, but the good thing is that, since 1992 Ghana has evolved into a stable democracy under successive administrations.

His Excellency Christian disclosed that Ghana has good governance, the rule of law is maintained, the press is free and vibrant and the economy is in good shape and the government of President Atta Mills is in all seriousness, pursing the objective of making Ghana a better place for all its citizens. “The economy is poised for a big take off and we all know that, the expectation has been heightened by the off-shore discovery oil in 2007.

Ambassador Christian acknowledged the useful role played by Ghanaians in the Diaspora by their remittances home to assist their family urged them to move on the greater things by investing in Ghana’s economy. He urged them to encourage non- Ghanaians to do likewise, because Ghana needs their financial capacity and expertise to develop.

Ambassador Christian applauded NCOGA for their good job towards the community for rewarding granting scholarship to some deserving students to enable them achieve their educational goals in America.

In an address by the Executive Secretary General of NCOGA Miss Ivy Rose Quarshie, she said in spite of the democratic credentials that Ghana had garnered in recent years, as a developing nation, Ghana has to deal with problems of poverty, ,lack of adequate health facilities and infrastructure. She appealed for increase in resources to solve these problems and to meet the needs of the ever growing urban areas as well as declining rural populations. Miss Quarshie noted that NCOGA will continue to take these small steps in our little world to mobilize various Ghanaian associations in the tri-state area and to bring together those with the means to help solve and address some of the concerns that face us here as well as home to improve the lives and the conditions, since we should all join hands collectively”.

She said NCOGA is currently soliciting assistance from the NYC Fire Department to acquire fire safety equipment and the possibility of the fire department to visit Ghana to train their counterparts on how to use the equipment. NCOGA, she said, is in the process of acquiring a building to establish a cultural center to be known as GHANA HOUSE for Ghanaians and Africans to hold social functions.

As part of the function, scholarship awards were presented to five high school students who are college bound and Miss Quarshie said NCOGA has plans to offer more scholarships to high school students who excelled academically going forward. A congratulatory message from the sixteenth council district member in the Bronx New York City Miss Helen Diane Foster who has been immensely supporting the Africans community in Bronx said “I am thoroughly delighted at the relationship that has been development between the Ghanaian community and me in the district. I always look forward to working together in the future to improve the quality life of all of us and I am certain that, we will be able to achieve a great deal.”

Miss Helen Forster noted that, “as we forge onward and upward striving for a continuous change, continuous commitment and continuous improvement in-fulfilling of our mission, please know that your years of past dedication and commitment are greatly appreciated by all those whom you have served in your community.” Ambassador Kojo Christian sworn in the following newly elected executives of NCOGA: THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY GENERAL —  — Miss Ivy Rose Quarshie , DEPUTY EXECUTIVE GENERAL SECRETARY — - Hajia Ramatu Ahmed, PRESIDENT — - Mr. Amos Afful, VICE PRESIDENT — - Daasebere Anane Amponsah, the Asantefuohene of New YORK, TREASURER —  — - Mr. Emmanuel Asante, FINANCIAL SECRETARY —  — Mr. Fred A. Dwamena aka Mr. Gentleman, PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER —  — Hon Kwabena Manu aka Poncho, ASSISTANT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER —  — Mr. Alfred Amoyaw. Recognition and awards were given to Miss Helen Diane Foster , Dr Lawrence Nii Nartey, Dr Leonard Y. Kaledzi, Dr Samuel Mensah,. NCOGA’S service awards went to Messers Michael Tieku, Johnson Eltosam, Charles Asuming,Elfrida Benson, Togbe Sentranah, Godfried Adi Darko, David N. Osafo, Jamil Couri. Community Service Awards presented to Oko Nyaku, Charles Nimo Mensa (aka Mr CNN), DJ Katabo ,Azey Video Production,Black Star Travel,Trinity Travel and Tours, Accra Restaurant,Kuwait Shipping,Gitano Africa Market, and Adakum Educational Foundation. Five students were given scholaship awards, Kwame Twumasi — - Binghamton University, Kwadwo Amakye —  — Virginia Union University,Mavis Ampomah — - Virginian Union University, Vera Avheampong Tieku, University of Bridgeport and Ernest Ameyaw Jnr.of SUNY University.

The major sponsors of the grand celebrations were Delta Airlines, Western Union and 2010 Census.

Mark your calendars for an special afternoon with two critically praised debut novelists and a brilliant musician : Nana Ekua Brew Hammond, author of POWDER NECKLACE (Atria Books April 2010), Ayesha Harruna Attah, author of HARMATTAN RAIN (Per Ankh), and George Francois, on acoustic piano.
Up South, Inc promotes contemporary storytelling — in all forms, music, dance, literature and art, — and advances the idea that each form of expressions exists in dynamic relationship to the other.  Join us on a Sunday afternoon for performances, dialogue and fellowship with three emerging talents who demonstrate that we are a classical people still producing classical art.

When  Sunday, April 11, 2010
Where   6 West 121st Street, between Malcolm X Boulevard/Lenox Avenue and Mt. Morris Park West, New York City
(seating capacity 50 people, open seating)
 Subway: 2 or 3 train to 125th Street, walk South 4 blocks down Lenox Ave and turn left on 121st Street.
 
Admission: $5.00
*drinks will be served
* Up South logo merchandise, books and delicious food will be sold

Up South, Inc is a not-for-profit organization
310 Convent Avenue, Ste 2A
bluemedia@aol.com
 
Thank you.

Malaika Adero,
Director and founder

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION 

CONTACT:           Delta Corporate Communications

+44 208 867 6295

Delta Air Lines Celebrates Launch of Atlanta-to-Accra Nonstop Service with Special Summer Vacation Fares

ATLANTA, March 15, 2010 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) today announced introductory fares from all Delta domestic markets for travel to Accra, Ghana via the world’s largest airline hub at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Delta’s nonstop flight from Atlanta to Accra, which begins June 1, will operate three times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For travel between June 1 and Aug. 28, Delta is now offering a special leisure fare from Atlanta to Accra for $799* each-way if ticketed or purchased before March 31, 2010. This fare has a minimum Saturday night stay and a maximum stay of one month. *Additional taxes, fees, restrictions and baggage charges may apply. See below for details.

“These special fares provide a great opportunity for customers all across the U.S. to travel to Accra and reunite with friends and family this summer,” said Bobby Bryan, Delta’s commercial manager for West and East Africa. “As the leading U.S. airline to Ghana for more than three years,  we’re delighted to be adding a second nonstop service, boosting travel and tourism between our two nations.”

In addition to nonstop service to Atlanta, Delta offers flights four times weekly between Accra and its hub at New York-JFK.  These flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.  Delta flights between Accra and Atlanta and New York are available for booking online at delta.com or via authorized travel agents.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With its unsurpassed global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 367 destinations in 66 countries on six continents. Delta employs more than 70,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of nearly 800 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry’s leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France KLM. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 16,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline’s service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world’s largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

*Terms and Conditions: Fare shown available at delta.com. Tickets cost $20 more if purchased from Delta over the phone, $35 more at a Delta ticket counter or ticket office, and these amounts are nonrefundable. Tickets are non-transferable. Seats are limited. Tickets: Fare shown is each-way. Round-trip purchase is required. Tickets must be purchased 72 hours after reservations are made, but no later than March 22, 2010.Travel Period: Travel may begin on or after June 1 through August 28, 2010 and must be completed by September 28, 2010; Blackout Dates: None Fare Validity: Fares are valid in the Economy (Coach) cabin Delta Air Lines flights only. Minimum Stay: Saturday night. Maximum Stay: 1 month or September 28, 2010, whichever is earlier. Cancellations/Refunds/Changes: Tickets are nonrefundable except in accordance with Delta’s cancellation policy. Fees may apply for downgrades/reissues and itinerary changes. Contact a Delta agent or visit delta.com for details. Taxes/Fees: Federal Excise tax of $3.70, Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $4.50, and the September 11th Security Fee of up to $2.50 for each flight segment are not included. For travel to/from Hawaii/Alaska, U.S. International Air Transportation Tax of up to $16.20 is not included. International fares do not include U.S. International Air Transportation Tax of up to $32.20 and U.S. and foreign user, inspection, security or other similarly based charges, fees or taxes of up to $299 depending on itinerary. Taxes and fees must be paid when the ticket is purchased. Baggage Charges: For travel within the United States/PR/U.S. Virgin Islands and to/from Canada, $23 USD/CAD* fee for 1 checked bag and $32 USD/CAD* fee for second checked bag when bags are prepaid during online check-in at delta.com. There is a $2 USD/CAD surcharge for the first bag, $3 USD/CAD for the second bag, when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. For all other travel, no fee for 2 checked bags (50 USD/CAD/EUR fee for travel to/from Europe for second checked bag when bags are prepaid during online check-in at delta.com, 55 USD/CAD/EUR fee for second bag when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside) and 200 USD/CAD/EUR fee for third checked bag. Allowances are subject to size/weight limits.  Contact a Delta agent for details.  SkyMiles Partner Offers: Partner offers subject to the terms and conditions of each individual offer. Partners subject to change. All SkyMiles program rules apply. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide. Miscellaneous: Fares, taxes, fees, rules, and offers are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. ©2010 Delta Air Lines, Inc.

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The National Council of Ghanaian Associations (NCOGA) welcomes fellow Ghanaians, Africans and friends of Ghana to its annual picnic, family Day and Concert at the beautiful Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica, Queens on Saturday, August 1, 2009.

This year’s sponsored picnic is an exhibition with a makeup theme of Sports and Cultural expo. There will be a performance by a surprise guest artist from Ghana at the park. There will also be various activities, such as a volley Ball tournament, a tug of war competition just to name a few. Awards would be presented to the winners. Doctors on the Hudson and Ghanaian Nurses Association would also be on hand to provide various types of health screening. Additionally, there would be Ghanaian Cultural Extravaganza, a taste of Ghana combined with traditional drumming and youth performances!

It will be great! Make August 1st a get-away to camaraderie with friends. Plan ahead for this day as a day of opportunity to mingle and exchange greetings with past school mates and friends you have not seen for a very, very long time.

Don’t think of missing this year’s event! The phones of the organizers are buzzing with calls from all over the world because, New York always hosts the mother of all picnics!

Anyone interested in sponsoring this year’s picnic should call 347-489-5007 for further details.

The National Council of Ghanaian Associations in NY (NCOGA) celebrated Ghana’s 52nd Independence anniversary in style at the Armenian Church Hall on Saturday, 7th March 2009.

This formal banquet was a fundraiser for scholarships for youth who have excelled academically and are going on to further their education in colleges here in the US. In addition, awards of recognition were given to outstanding individuals and organizations whose life and work have served to advance the interest of Ghana and Africa.

The banquet attracted an array of distinguished individuals and dignitaries, including Ambassador Leslie Kojo Christian, Ghana’s Ambassador to the UN; Deputy Ambassador Genevieve Tsegah, outgoing Consul General Obeng Gyan Busia, Councilwoman Helen Diane Foster of the 16th District in the Bronx, Nana Anane Amponsah, New York Asantefuohene, Nana Abena Manu, NY Asantefuohemaa and Togbe Setranah, of United Volta Association. The crowd was entertained by the renowned gospel musician Professor Kofi Abraham and the popular Nigerian comedian “Away, Away”.

In his congratulatory message, His Excellency, Leslie Christian reminded participants that Ghanaians have good reason to celebrate this year’s anniversary, because it came on the hills of the peaceful transfer of power from President Kuffour to President John Evans Atta Mills. He congratulated NCOGA for remaining faithful to the charge of uniting Ghanaians under one umbrella. He reiterated his satisfaction that the award dinner was being held to raise funds for NCOGA’s scholarship program and noted that undertaking such task undoubtedly deserves commendation and our collective support.

Highlights of the evening include Jimmy Cliff wowing the crowd with a rendition of some of his previous hits. The four youth who were awarded scholarships for academic excellence are: Elorm Yador and Michele Adobea Agyakwah who have been admitted to Penn State University; Vasa Amponsah who will be attending the University of Buffalo and Gany Sita who is admitted to St. John’s University.

A diverse group of outstanding individuals within the community were recognized also recognized. Charley Taylor was honored for his humanitarian efforts, generosity, contributions and support for NCOGA’s initiatives. Also honored was STAR100, a young Ghanaian adult’s network group, dedicated to assisting different causes both in Ghana and here in the USA. Each year the group identifies a cause and organizes fundraising to support it. The group was honored for the selfless dedication and community service.

Also honored was the former Executive Secretary General of NCOGA, Alhaji Mardah; former representatives of NCOGA and other individuals from their respective associations for their dedication to service to the community at large.

Sincere thanks to all sponsors who supported us: Ambassador Leslie Kojo Christian and his staff of the Ghana Mission, Western Union, the African Development Foundation, Ambassadorway Travel, Prestige Travel, Internal Travel Exchange, Mr. Tony Brobbey, Dr. Yao Kaledzi, Dr. Yaw Ntiri, Dr. Anukware Ketosugbo, Dr. Benjamin Dodoo, Awal Mohammed of Africa American Grill, Dr. Samuel Akuoku of Laurelton Medical, Dr. Samuel Mensah, 3G Media Inc., Calapaz Fabrics, Trinity Travel, and the Law offices of Akpalu and Associates.

Music was provided by the legendary New York DJ, Katabo Soundz.

The DVD of the event will be available for purchase soon. Those interested in obtaining the DVD should send an email to contact@ncoga.org.

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Click on the link below to see some pictures of the event.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ncoga.ny

Source: NCOGA Secretariat< — >

This year?s picnic featured an exposition on sports, culture, health and education. There were various competitive activities such as volleyball, tug of war, and soccer. Various State Universities and institutions of higher learning were on hand to provide admission and financial aid information. Doctors on the Hudson and Ghanaian Nurses Association were also on hand to provide free health screening to all.

The change of venue to the Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, Connecticut drew a larger crowd with diverse group of people from all walks of life than last year. A crew of Adepa Radio was on hand to cover the celebrations live.

Ambassador Leslie Kojo Christian, the permanent representative to the UN and Joesph Ngminebayihi, the Deputy Consul General of New York, Dr. Anukware Ketowusugbo, Dr. Benjamin Dodoo, Awadada Togbe Awusi II of Anlo State and other dignitaries were there to grace the occasion.

The UVA cultural troupe and the Kpalongo group led by Zeek wowed attendees with their non stop drumming throughout the day. The arrival of the boxing champion to the park created pandemonium which led to his being carried around the park amid singing and drumming.

NCOGA would like to thank the following sponsors for their support for this year?s picnic: Delta, Western Union, Moneygram, Vigo and Akwaaba Travel Insurance. Additional sponsors are Ambassadorway Travel, Prestige Travel, International Travel Exchange (ITE), Trinity Travel, Pepsi Cola, Dr. Benjamin Dodoo, Dr. Samuel Mensah (Okyiman Clinic), Lincoln Grill, Comet Properties, Versailes Catering, Inc, Samari Shipping, J.K. Akpalu Law Firm, Dr. Yao Kaledzi (Horizon Medical Center), Sandy EB Associates, Universal trucking and Shipping, and Giftanco Enterprises (Queens).

A big kudos to this year?s organizers for a job job well done!!!

The “Hitter” Joshua Clottey the new IBF welterweight champ with the Ga Dangbe Assoc

The “Hitter” Joshua Clottey the new IBF welterweight champ with the Ga Dangbe Assoc.

The Champ with his entourage

Ambassador Leslie Christian, Ghana’s Permanent Rep to UN congratulates the “Hitter” Joshua Clottey the new IBF welterweight champ

Ivy Quarshie, ESG of NCOGA having a word with one of the sponsors of the event.

Stephanie of Ghana Parade Council with her gang.

Bottom Rt. The Adepa Radio crew.

Gina of Adepa Radio interviewing Mr. Kwabena Manu (aka Pancho) and Mr. Emmanuel Asante of NCOGA

Dr. Benjamin Dodoo with his medical team on hand.

Mawuli Agbenu, former DESG of NCOGA having a good time at the park

It appears these beautiful ladies are taking it easy at the picnic.

Brian of Delta addressing the crowd.

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