The National Council of Ghanaian Associations in NY (NCOGA) celebrated Ghana’s 51st Independence anniversary in style at the New York Sheraton Hotel on Saturday, 8th March. The anniversary celebration, which doubled as a fundraising event on behalf of the flood victims in Northern Ghana brought together many dignitaries, including Ambassador Leslie Kojo Christian, Ghana’s Ambassador to the UN; Obeng Gyan Busia, Consul General, 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 this year’s anniversary, coming soon after the Golden Jubilee presents another opportunity for Ghanaians to celebrate their achievements and sustain the unity collectively nurtured and forged since the birth of our dear nation. 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 to assist victims of the September/November 2007 floods in the Northern Ghana; an undertaking that undoubtedly deserves commendation and our collective support.

Highlights of the evening include an award ceremony, where a diverse group of outstanding individuals were recognized. Recipients include George Ntim, Founder and President of African Development Foundation, Inc., an organization that provides health, education and recreational resources to African youth. He was honored for Youth and Sports Development.

The Outstanding Educator Award was presented to Dr. A. Zachary Yamba, currently the longest serving president in New Jersey’s higher education system. Dr. Yamba was appointed the 5th President of Essex County College in May 1980. The Outstanding Humanitarian Award was presented to Dean R, Hirsch, President and CEO of World Vision International, heading a global partnership committed to serving the needs of the world’s poor.

Dr. Kwame Aniapam Boafo, was also honored for his achievement in the field of Medicine. Currently a Consulting Perinatologist with the Mercy OB/GYN PC and Associate Director of the Maternal-Fetal Assessment Center at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Bronx, NY. He is a fellow of the American College of OB/GYN and a Foundation Fellow of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Two youth were presented awards in academic excellence. Benson Buah was awarded the Youth Achievement Award. Benson was the salutatorian during his Grade 8 graduation, with an average score of 4.0 excelling in Social Sciences, Math and Science. He was accepted into Brooklyn Tech, one of the prestigious high schools for science in NY State, at the age of 13. Mohammed Latifu, known as “little old me in a big world”, also received the Youth Achievement Award. Mohammed is a Ghanaian high school student chosen to be an honorary ambassador to Australia.

Awards were also given to former representatives of NCOGA for their service to the community at large.

The evening also presented the occasion to introduce the new executives of NCOGA. In what turned out to be a first, both the newly elected Executive Secretary General, Ivy Rose Quarshie and her deputy, Hajia Ramatu Ahmed are both women, an unprecedented occurrence in the history of this powerhouse organization.

The outgoing Executive Secretary General of NCOGA, Alhaji Mardah gave the vote of thanks on behalf of NCOGA, extending his sincere appreciation to all who came out to join in the celebration of our beloved country’s independence anniversary.

Sincere thanks to all sponsors who supported sponsors namely Moneygram International, Western Union, VIGO, Delta Airlines, Marriott Marquis Hotels, the African Development Foundation, Ambassadorway Travel, Prestige Travel., Dr. Yao Kaledzi, Dr. Yaw Ntiri, Andrews Aklassou and Co. P.C., Trinity Travel, and the Law offices of Akpalu and Associates.

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

Dr. Maxwell Cobbina who succeeded Dr. Aheto, continued the legacy of his predecessor. Under his leadership, the Council hosted the then President of the Republic of Ghana, Jerry John Rawlings, one year and hosted the then first lady Nana Agyemang Rawlings also, the next year.

Dr. Samuel Amoako, succeeded Dr. Cobbina as the next secretary general, and concentrated his efforts on strengthening the partnerships and alliances with African-American leaders. During his two-year term, it was common to meet luminaries such as Charles Rangel, the member of Congress from Harlem, and the former Mayor of New York City David Dinkins.

Mr. Kwamena Eshun, became the fourth Secretary-General. Taking a cue from his predecessors, Mr. Eshun devised a strategic initiative for the development of the Ghanaian community. Unfortunately, his tenure was curtailed after he was transferred to North Carolina. Although he continued to play a major role in the council’s affairs, the day-to-day management was thrust into the hands of Mr. Mawuli Agbenu, the Deputy Executive Secretary General.

Mr. Thomas Mensah, who succeeded the Eshun regime, was elected Secretary General in one of the most highly contested elections. He defeated Mawuli Agbenu, the incumbent Deputy Secretary General, and Ms. Brenda Bismarck, the Deputy Public Relations Officer and Kwahuman Representative. Thomas quickly set about solidifying the council’s financial status, a task begun under Mr. Eshun. Today, the Council is on sound financial grounds, thanks to the efforts of Eshun and Thomas. Suffice it to say that Thomas was the only Secretary General who was reelected since Dr. Aheto.

Today, the Deputy Executive Secretary General Ivy Rose Quarshie, the first female to be elected to the position, and myself, are following in the footsteps of our predecessors. We are committed to strengthening member associations; expanding the Council’s influence to play a major role in Ghanaian politics while harnessing our enormous resources here to gain political power. We would also like Ghanaians to be a major force in American politics as well.

Every last one of the preceding Secretary Generals and their deputies has enjoyed significant support from the rest of their Executive members, the representatives of member associations, and the Ghanaian public at large.

We are hopeful that for our agenda to be carried out successfully, we would need the same level of support our predecessors benefited from. Such ambitious goals as economic empowerment, Ghanaian women’s development, the AIDS crisis in Ghana, and other issues pertinent to the development of Ghana, can be achieved only through a concerted effort. To this end, we are counting on your support to make the council better, and leave this august organization in a better position than we inherited.