New Executive for Ghana Union In Sierra Leone

Her Excellency the High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Dr. (Mrs.) Mokowa Adu- Gyamfi on Sunday, 28th January 2007, ushered in a new Executive of the Association of Ghana Nationals in Sierra Leone at a grandiose ceremony held at the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) hall at Brookfields. The ceremony, which is a part of the 50th Anniversary of Ghana’s Independence, was attended by Ghanaians across the country and included high profile Ghanaians such as Professor Yaw Adu-Gyamfi, Husband of the High Commissioner and Consultant Trainer at the UNFPA in Sierra Leone and other senior officials of the Ghana High Commission in Freetown.

In her keynote address, Ambassador Adu-Gyamfi thanked her fellow Ghanaians for endeavouring to come together under one identical umbrella, noting that the action of her compatriots is testimony of the fact that projecting the good image of their mother country is deep down in their hearts.

"I feel gratified by the action you have undertaken, which to me demonstrates that you are in tune with the values of Ghanaians back home," the Ambassador told her compatriots.She encouraged her compatriots to hold on to the objectives they have set for themselves according to her "as a way of strengthening the brotherly ties between the two sisters states of Ghana and Sierra Leone". She however admonished them not to meddle into the internal politics of Sierra Leone, especially so when the people of the country are gearing up for this year’s Presidential and parliamentary elections, pointing out that as Ghanaians, they should only avail themselves to giving advise where necessary. "By that you would be contributing to keeping the peace in this our sister state," she admonished.

High Commissioner Adu-Gyamfi recalled the long cultural, technical and educational ties that exist between Sierra Leone and Ghana, noting that the citizens of both countries have benefited from each others experience and expertise for a very long time, and assured, "this will continue for even more years to come".

Head of Chancery, Mr. Yaw Nigah also thanked his compatriots for the initiative and called on those Ghanaians who have not yet affiliated themselves with the association to do so, as he described the initiative as "laudable and a fine example which every Ghanaian should be proud to be associated with". Mr. Nigah also admonished his compatriots to ensure that they operate within the limits of the association’s aims and objectives, with premium given to the respect for the laws of the host country. The Association’s Chairman, Mr. Victor Aryee in his introduction of the association said it is non political and is formed with the sole aim of imbibing law abiding principles in its members. Among its objectives, he noted, is to foster unity, peace, love and good will between Ghanaians and Sierra Leoneans who are their hosts and to promote and uphold the good values of their mother land, Ghana, as well as promoting the welfare of members.

The Association, he said, has its head office at 37B Pademba Road in Freetown and has a registered membership of seventy-eight (78). Mr. Aryee assured that the Association would be at the disposal of the Ghana High Commission in the interest of promoting its mission and fostering the continued good relationship the High Commission has with the Government of Sierra Leone.

The Chairman thanked Ambassador Adu-Gyamfi and other Ghanaians for honouring their invitation to mark what he referred to as "a memorable occasion". The Ghana Nationals Association, according to the newly sworn in Chairman, was formed in the 70s, but has been dormant for a long time, which he said had caused Ghanaians to be in disarray in Sierra Leone. He assured that the association will locate Ghanaians where ever they may be to bring them on board the association.

The new Executive includes: Mr. Victor Aryee (Chairman), Mr. Joe Amoateng (Vice Chairman), Mr. Derrick Kojo-Atta Boison, (Sec. Gen), Mr. Maxwell K. Ansah (Asst.Sec. Gen), Madam Susan Dougan (Treasurer), Mr. Isaac Kofi Nelson (Financial Sect.), Mr. Kweku Opiah Kwansa (Org. Sec), Mr. Kwame Boakye-Yiadom ( PRO), Mr. Agyemang K. Roberts (PRO II), and Mr. John Yaw Aston (Chief Whip).