Toronto News: Dei Made Head of Dept/New Asantefuohene

Prof. George Dei Made Head of Dept. at University of Toronto

It takes hard work and perseverance to make it to the top of the academia in the Western World. And at the time when the Ghanaian Community in Canada, especially the youth, need role models who can inspire them to high feat of achievements the recent appointment of a Ghanaian born lecturer, George J. Sefa Dei as the Chair of the Department of Sociology and Equity Studies, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) couldn’t be more encouraging!

Talking to The Ghanaian News after his recent elevation to a position hitherto occupied by “white” professors, Sefa Dei thanked God and the University of Toronto for the honor done him. He said, “I share this honor with all minorities in Canada and especially the Ghanaian-Canadian community.” His journey to this honor has been through determination, dedication and perseverance.

George J. Sefa Dei, between 1996 and 2000 served as the first Director of the Center for Integrative Anti-Racism Studies at OISE/UT. His teaching and research interests are in the areas of Anti-Racism Education, Development Education, International Development, Indigenous Knowledges and Anti-Colonial Thought.

In the spring of 2000, working with OISE/UT graduate students, Prof. Dei completed a three-year SSHRC project study on: "Making Excellence Accessible and Equitable: The Examination of Best/Exemplary Practices of Inclusive schooling in Ontario Public Schools". The findings of this study appear in the book: Removing the Margins: The Challenges and Possibilities of Inclusive Schooling, published in the Fall, 2000 by the Canadian Scholar’s Press. There is also Inclusive Schooling: A Teacher's Companion to Inclusive Schooling just published in February, 2002.Currently, he is in the final year of a three-year SSHRC research project on: Minority Education in Comparative Contexts: Dealing with Difference and Diversity in Ghanaian Schooling. Dei has also been awarded a new three-year SSHRC award on: 'Accounting for School Success: The Personal Educational Stories of Individual Achievers'. Prof. is not only a lecturer and researcher but also a prolific writer. He is the author of the following books: Anti-Racism Education: Theory and Practice [Fernwood Publishing, Halifax, 1996]; and Hardships and Survival in Rural West Africa, published in both the English and French languages in 1992 by CODESRIA; and the co-author of Reconstructing 'Drop-out': A Critical Ethnography of the Dynamics of Black Students' Disengagement from School (University of Toronto Press, 1997) [With Josephine Mazzuca, Elizabeth McIsaac, and Jasmine Zine]. This latter book is an exploration of the issue of student disengagement and 'dropping' out of school. He has also published over four dozen articles in scholarly refereed journals on such topics as: African development, African-centred education, Anti-colonial thought, anti-racism education Inclusive schooling, Black education, educational reforms in Ghana, minority youth disengagement from school. Prof. Dei has also traveled widely to give keynote addresses and/or to make guest/conference presentations in Canada, United States, and Europe.

The community acknowledges the hard work of Prof. Dei. He was therefore elected the First President of the Ghana Union-an umbrella group of Ghanaian-Canadian cultural, ethnic and religious associations in Ontario. He is also on boards of the community organizations in Ontario: 'Central Neighborhood House', 'The Black Secretariat', 'Tractors for Our Daily Bread', Unemployed Professional African Men and Women's Association'. I am a member of the Organization of Parents of Black Children (OPBC) and the Black Educators Working Group (BEWG). He served as the President of the Canadian-Ghanaian Organization [now Cross Edge Network]. Over the years, he has received many awards for my community service. A partial list as follows: Honors/Academic Awards 2002 Community Service Award, Toronto, ‘Distinguished Recipient of the Year 2002 Award for Education and Community Development”- In appreciation of dedication and valued contribution to Community Development, Brong Ahafo Association of Ontario. 2001 Community Partnership Award, - Continuing Education, /International Languages, Toronto Catholic District School Board - In appreciation of dedication and valued contribution to the cause of educating minority youth. 2000 Ghanaian News Award, Toronto, ‘Distinguished Recipient of the Year 2000 Award for Education and Community Development”- In appreciation of dedication and valued contribution to the cause of Education and Community Development. 1998- present Research Associate, Joint Center of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement (CERIS), Toronto, Ontario. 1996 Volunteer Services Award, Ministry of Citizenship - Commitment to Volunteerism. 1996 Volunteer Services Award, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation - Commitment to Volunteerism, Organization of Parents of Black Children. 1996- present Fellow, Society for Applied Anthropology, Washington, D.C. 1995 National Council of Ghanaian-Canadians Award - “Community Service”. In appreciation of dedication and valued contribution to the cause of Community Development.

Prof. George J. Sefa Dei is truly an exemplary role model in the academia for our community. We congratulate him on his new post at OISE/UT and wish him well

Nana Bediako sworn in as Asantefuohene of Toronto after two years in office

A colorful ceremony was held in Toronto to swear in Nana Asare Bediako who was elected Asantefuohene of Toronto two years ago. The two-day event came off at Driftwood Community Centre, North York on Saturday, May 18, 2002 and at the Northwood Community Centre, North York on the following Sunday.

The impressive cultural activity, which was organized by the Asante Multicultural Association of Toronto, was characterized by traditional drumming and dancing. Present at the event were Nana Frimpong Afoakwah (Domeabra Omanhene) who represented the Asantehene, His Excellency, Samuel Arthur Odoi-Sykes who is Ghana’s new High Commissioner to Canada and Nana Sasraku La-Kumi, Akuapimfohene of Toronto known in private life as Dr. Martin La-Kumi who is also the Ghana Consul General in Toronto.

The ceremony began on the Saturday at about 11:30 p.m. with a Christian prayer and pouring of libation. These were followed with the rendition of the Canada and Ghana National anthems. After the introduction of distinguished guests and various delegates from across North America, the delegates took turns to welcome the Otumfuo’s representative and the High Commissioner to the august function. In his address, the High Commissioner, His Excellency Odoi-Sykes extended greetings and congratulations on behalf of President Kufour to the new Asantefohene of Toronto and the organizers of the function. He pointed out that chieftaincy is the strong hold of our rich Ghanaian culture and, “culture is the soul of our people. Ghanaians are one people with variations in culture of which chieftaincy is common to all.” H.E. stressed the fact that the institution of chieftaincy has been with our people since time immemorial. And that it’s mission is to unite people. He therefore advised the new Asantefohene of Toronto and the regents of the stool to uphold chieftaincy as an institution that unites the people (Ghanaians in Toronto) despite their political inclinations, ethnic and religious differences. H.E. lamented what happened in Yendi and appealed to all those who are associated with the institution of chieftaincy to refrain from acts and pronouncements that bring this all-important institution to disrepute.

The Otumfuo’s representative, Nana Frimpong Afoakwah before the swearing-in of the new Asantefohene advised on the procedure as tradition demands. Then came the solemn time of swearing-in after the new Asantefohemma of Toronto. Nana Ama Serwah I and the new Abusuapain, Nana Kofi Appiagyei had introduced Nana Asare Bediako as the new Asantefohene of Toronto. Each of the sub-chiefs and the linguists of the Asantes in Toronto took turns to swear an oath after which Nana Asare Bediako paid his allegiance to the Otumfuo’s representative as the apex of the ceremony.

The new Asantefohene of Toronto and his entourage attended a special thanksgiving service at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church at 2547 Kipling Avenue, Etobicoke on Sunday, May 19, 2002. After the service a durbar was held at the Northwood Community Centre during which Nana Asare Bediako expressed his gratitude to the Otumfuo’s representative and the organizers of the swearing-in ceremony as well as the general public for the honor done him.

The chairperson for the occasion was Sam Aboagye Danso of Highlife Travel. Speaking on behalf of the chairperson, the vice-chair, Dr. James Tabi appealed to all Ghanaians in Toronto to contribute generously to the Otumfuo Educational Fund to Support education in Ghana.

Ewe Dance Essemble of Ontario and an Asante Cultural Troupe provided cultural entertainment. Okyeame Essah-Mensah Chief Linquist of Asanteman Council of NorthAmerica and Okyeame Nana Agyekum were the masters of ceremony (MCs) for the function.

An interesting development took place just before the swearing-in ceremony. Nana Kofi Appiagye was appointed as the new Abusuapain when the old Abusuapain Nana Kofi Owusu stepped down as the Abusuapain of the Ashanti Multicultural Association of Toronto.