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.

During the launching ceremony, the founder and CEO of Placid Express, Dr. Kamal Ahmed expressed his desire to extend this service, which has been very popular and successful in Asia, to Ghana after visiting and speaking with people in Ghana, especially in the rural areas.

Placid Express’s services are unique in that they have partnered with APEX bank in Ghana in conjunction with the rural banks in Ghana so that remittances can go directly to those for whom it is intended. Unlike the current practice of other money transfer services that are located in urban areas where people are forced to travel to these central points to collect their remittances, and where they may be charged a fee for the transaction, Placid Express works with the rural banks so that relatives do not have to travel far distances to collect their money. Furthermore, collecting remittances do not entail any further transaction fees. The rural banks also serve to alleviate the problem of identification before remittances are released to the intended parties. For instance, since most of our parents are without proper identification cards, we are forced to send our remittances through other relatives. But with direct link to our rural banks our parents can directly receive their money. In such small rural towns, it is easy for them to prove their identity, either because they are known at the bank or someone else can vouch for them.

This collaborative effort is led by Mr. Emmanuel K. Kwapong Managing Director of ARB Apex Bank Ltd, Ghana who is currently on tour in Latin America and the US to study how the rural banking system is evolving, and took time to join us herein New York for this important venture. Also on hand was Mr. Charles Pinkrah- Head of IT, ARB Apex Bank Ltd, Ghana to study enhanced security systems to make sure transmittals are safe and privacy issues addressed.

On hand to make all these collaboration a success was Mr. Francis Ekow Adjepong, of Financial Innovations, Seattle. He spoke of the potential this venture has for making remittances pay dividends if individuals elect to become agents or seek vendors to partner with Placid Express.

Present at the inaugural were the ESG Alhaji Mohammed Mardah and his Deputy Ms. Ivy Quarshie and the entire leadership of the NCOGA, who pledge to take the information, gathered back to their respective associations and communities and also where possible, become partners to what appears to be a genuine and potentially lucrative endeavor. On hand to cover the event were African Abroad, Asenta Magazine, Dondo Magazine and African Business Network.

For those interested in becoming an agent for Placid Express, please contact Mohammed Mardah at (917) 349-2227 or Ivy Quarshie at 347-489-5007. You may also visit their website at www.Placid.net for detail information on the company.