Ghana @ 50 in Atlanta, Georgia

The planning committee for the Ghana Golden Jubilee celebration in Atlanta has announced its schedule of events. A press release signed by Mr. Robert Andoh, Chairman of the Atlanta organizing committee highlights several events that have been planned for the week of March 6, 2007. These events include an interdenominational service, which will be held at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church’s New Horizon Sanctuary on Sunday, March 4, 2007. All Ghanaian Churches in the Atlanta Metro area will converge at Ebenezer Baptist for a joint church the first of its kind in Atlanta. It is estimated that about 18 churches will be fully represented. According to Mr. Andoh, the significance of the venue is to show case the long term relationship between Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King and the first president of Ghana Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. The service will be televised on Ghana TV during the year.

A Cultural Night for special guests and friends of Ghana will be held on Tuesday March 6, 2007 at the Atlanta City Hall Atrium. The showcase will feature a mini Durbar of the council of traditional rulers, a documentary on Ghana’s independence, cultural displays and a taste of Ghanaian dishes. The Cultural Night will precede a proclamation ceremony by the Mayor of Atlanta.

A symposium will be held at the Auburn Avenue Library on Wednesday March 7, 2007. A panel of Ghanaian political scientists will discuss the topic “Ghana the past, present and the future”.

A banquet will be held at the Gwinnett Place Marriott Hotel to celebrate the anniversary. Special door prizes will also include a raffle to win a free round trip to Ghana on Delta Airlines. Other sponsors include Western Union, Moneygram, Kroger and Hillside Baptist Church.

According to Mr. Reuben Darku, chairperson for the public relations committee for the Atlanta celebrations “For the first time in recent memory, all the Ghanaian associations, the Ghanaian Churches, Traditional rulers, professionals and students have come together in the true Ghanaian spirit to celebrate mother Ghana and also to live up to the central theme of the celebrations “ The New Ghana Championing African Excellence”. The hope is to raise funds to purchase or build a 'Ghana House' in Atlanta for Ghanaians”.

Additional information regarding planned events and ticket sales can be obtained from the official web site of the Atlanta celebrations at www.ghanaisfifty.org.