Ghanaians Celebrates 54th Independence Day in Medway

It was all fun and excitement when the Ghanaian community in Medway, Southeast of England celebrated Ghana’s 54th Independence Anniversary on Sunday, March 6th, 2011. The occasion organized by the Medway Ghanaian Association (MGA) was also attended by citizens of other West African countries as well as guests from the Medway Council, other Africa Association, the clergy and the general public. The Interim Chairman of the Medway Ghanaian Association, Mr. Noah Kantoh opened the ceremony, after which the Ghanaian national anthem was played with Mrs Olivia Ayensu singing. Mrs. Ayensu then gave a historical background on how Ghana gained independence from Britain on March 6, 1957 led by the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first President. The Chairman of the function Dr. John Tetteh a lecturer at the University of Greenwich at Medway implored all Ghanaians living in the Medway area to come together to forge a common goal and also take the interest in the development of Ghana and he advised Ghanaians not to despised this small beginning.

Mr. Kwashie Anang also added his voice to the call by encouraging Ghanaians in the Medway area (Chatham, Rochester, Stroud, Gillingham, Rainham and surrounding villages) to join the Medway Ghanaian Association (MGA) re-phrasing the words of the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah "... MGA is meaningless, unless every Ghanaian living in Medway join". Mr Peter Bernasko advised Ghanaians abroad to use the knowledge they have acquired to help to accelerate Ghana’s development rather than using it to the detriment of the Country. Pastor Peter Benson from the Africa Men Forum (AMF) advised Africa to access all services available to them and the need for us to not forget our culture. Ms. Rathini Mills Medway Council member asked Ghanaian in Medway to help their follow Ghanaians back home. The Interim executive of MGA assisted Mrs. Doris Opoku and Mrs. Josephine Henking to cut the anniversary cake amidst the rendition of Ghana’s patriotic song and popping of champagne.

There were poem recitals by Ms Elizabeth Bernasko and Nii Amarh Anang. There was an exhibition on Ghanaian arts and history by Mr David Larkai. The crowd was treated with mouth-watering Ghanaian cuisine which included, kenkey and fried fish, waakye, fried yam, kelewele, dough nut (bofrot), and kyinkyinga (kebab) among others with Dee Jay Rashid Seidu providing traditional Ghanaian highlife and contemporary music. In attendance were the interim executives of MGA; Mr Isaac Baidoo, Mr Socrates Aboagye, Mr Isaac Ayensu and Mr Emmanuel Asiedu.
Report by Mr Kwashie Anang (PHD student University of Greenwich)