Member organizations of the GaDangme Europe organization (GDEu) met in Hamburg on Saturday, 13th March, 2010 to elect new members to serve on the Executive Committee for the next two years. The new executives of the organization are; President - Mr. Emmanuel Nii Tetteh Mensah (UK), Vice President – Ms. Sarah Coleman (Germany), General Secretary – Mr. Joe Lamptey (Holland), Vice General Secretary – Ms. Abigail Lamptey (Switzerland), Financial Secretary – Mr. Bob Lamptey (Germany), Treasurer – Ms. Florence Lamptey (Germany) and Public Relations Officer – Mr. Alex Adjei (Switzerland).

Against the background of the usual one family and very pleasant atmosphere, the GDEu chalked yet another huge success with the elections tagged Hamburg 2010 and coming after an earlier impressively attended constitutional conference in Paris on Saturday, 27th June 2009, the way forward for the first of its kind culturally unified front across Europe, though challenging, appears very bright.

A specially empanelled Elections Committee under the chairmanship of Pastor Chester Nii Boye Quartey (Germany) with Mr. Samuel Awuley Doku (New Castle – UK) and Ms. Lesley Riwar (Switzerland) as members conducted the elections.

On hand for the voting were the full members of the Representative Council of the organization made up of two representatives from each member organization with one vote per member organization as provides in the GDEu constitution.

Mr. Carl Lokko (Germany) chaired the event and among the special guests who graced the event with their dignifying presence were Nii Ashaley Asuku (II) Head of family of Nii Tetteh Kpeshie We, Sempe and Kingmaker of Sempe Traditional Council and Naa Manye Afokor Omaeduro (II) Katamanso Warrior Queen both from the UK.

Speaking on behalf his team, the erstwhile President Mr. Teddy Adjanor (UK) recounted the rather turbulent beginnings and thanked his team for the steadfast manner they weathered the numerous storms and kept the front intact for a successful change of baton. He also credited his team with building a good foundation for the next leadership and prayed for God’s guidance for the new executives.

In his acceptance speech, the new President thanked all who in diverse ways contributed tremendously towards the success of the elections and expressed particular gratitude to the host organizations for making the short stay of the delegates and invited guests from far and near memorable indeed. He as well acknowledged the magnitude of the responsibility he and his team shoulder and pledged on behalf of himself and his team to deliver on the expectations of all and sundry.

The GDEU, formally launched in Amsterdam (Holland) on Saturday, 8th March, 2008, is a non-profit making organization open to all GaDangme groups in Europe with its seat in the United Kingdom. The aims and objectives of the organization are, among others, as follows;

1. Create an environment in which every person of GaDangme origin domiciled in Europe shall contribute voluntarily towards making the most of our very rich but finite resources for the benefit and betterment of all GaDangme people.

2. Build sound and cordial relationships among bona fide GaDangme organizations and institutions in the Diaspora and Ghana, develop effective networks and to co-ordinate group actions that will lead to providing links to the GaDangme Council and other leading GaDangme organizations and institutions in Ghana.

3. Develop a culture of learning to protect GaDangme interest, raise awareness of strategic GaDangme issues, empower and develop GaDangme talents through education and training for purposes of meeting tomorrow’s challenges.

4. Promote cultural, educational, health and socio-economic well being through creativity, innovation, partnership and accessibility.

5. Motivate GaDangme people in Europe into action by encouraging participation, consultation and involvement of various GaDangme organizations in activities aimed at raising funds to support GaDangme Europe goals.

6. Create genuine and effective communication link and partnership through which our views on matters of GaDangme interest may be addressed to the GaDangme Council, Traditional Councils in GaDangme land and other leading GaDangme organizations and institutions in Ghana for consideration.

7. Create mechanism capable of raising awareness towards developmental issues of strategic interest to GaDangme people.

8. Sponsor specific socio-economic projects in the GaDangme Traditional Areas through the sub-committees of the GaDangme Europe.

9. Foster, promote, project the good name, reputation and interests at all times of member organizations and people of GaDangme origin in Europe and Ghana.

10. Serve as the unified voice of the entire member organizations.

The organization currently has 12 member organizations from five European countries and four organization from four different European countries in the process of regularizing their membership. The current member organizations are GaDangme Association – Switzerland, Bishop T Ga Club – UK, GaDangme Foundation – Holland, GaDangme Association – Berlin, GaDangme Union – Belgium, GaDangme Club e.v. Hamburg, Adangbe Society e.v. Hamburg, Sinapi UK, GaDangme North England, GaDangme Barcelona – Spain, GaDangme Association – France and Bokemei Foundation – Holland.

From

Nii Yartey: www.tolimashi.com

Mr Joe Lamptey: GDU General Secretary