Ghanaians in Chicago Against Govt Appointee

Upon meeting the NPP party members in Chicago on July 31 2005, the ambassador of Ghana to the United States, Mr. Fritz Kwabena Poku announced to his audience that he has appointed Mr. Joe Morgan, an African American to be the next consular General in the MidWest.

The news generated a lot of outrage among the Ghanaian community in Chicago and its metropolis and has led to a petition drive by community organizations, chiefs,elders, opinion leaders and community activists who have declared to fight the nomination with all their might.

Below is the petition in its entirety!

Petition by Ghanaians in Chicago to stop the appointment of Joe Morgan

Petition summary and background: Mr. Joe Morgan has been nominated for appointment as Ghana?s Consular General. Mr. Morgan is not of Ghanaian descent nor is he affiliated with or has he significantly impacted the Ghanaian community in Chicago. Currently, four Ghanaians have applied for and are qualified to fill the position. As the past is an accurate depiction of future behavior, consulates of non-Ghanaian decent have neglected their responsibilities to the Ghanaian community and to Ghana.

Action petitioned for: We, the Chiefs, the Queens, the members of Ghanaian organizations, the sons and daughters of Ghana, the undersigned, and concerned citizens respectfully request that the Honorable Fritz Kwabena Poku rescind his nomination of Mr. Joe Morgan as the next consular General. Instead, we urge that as a matter of exigency citizens of Ghanaian descent who are affiliated or have impacted the Ghanaian community and who have applied for the position are considered. Our request is based upon the following:
? Mr. Joe Morgan has not been involved in the Ghanaian community.
? Mr. Morgan is not familiar with issues related to Ghana.
? For our national pride and prudence, Ghanaians qualified for the position must be given precedence.
? In the past, non-Ghanaian?s who have held the position have not fulfilled the challenges of the post and have used it for their personal benefit.
? Other consulates of African decent in Chicago have used the position for the benefit of their country and its citizens.
? Over twenty thousand Ghanaians in Chicago have been blatantly ignored in the process of selecting the next Consular General and should be considered.