Ghanaians Observe Republic Day Anniversary in Charlottesville

Ghanaians Observe Republic Day Anniversary in Charlottesville, USA In commemoration of Ghana’s 51st Republic Day Anniversary, the Ghanaian community in Charlottesville, Virginia in the USA has observed the occasion with a get-together at the Washington Park, Charlottesville.

The function which was organized by the Ghana Association of Charlottesville was also attended by some dignitaries of Charlottesville including Honorable Dave Norris, the mayor of the City of Charlottesville; Honorable Holly Edwards, Charlottesville City Council member; Mr. Paul Garrett, the Clerk of Charlottesville Circuit Court; Krista Farrell, Assistant Director of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, Charlottesville; and Cornelia D. Johnson, Former Charlottesville City Sheriff.

Typical of Ghanaian culture, the gathering was treated with a variety of Ghanaian cuisine as well as some Ghanaian gospel, old-school and contemporary highlife music.

In a short speech, the Chairman of the Ghana Association of Charlottesville, Nana Akyeampong Ghartey, gave a narration of how Ghana attained the status of a republic on July 1, 1960 after its independence in March 1957. He reiterated the bond between Charlottesville and Ghana as result of the sister-city cooperation between the city of Charlottesville and Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. He said in March this year, the University of Virginia Health System donated a large quantity of medical supplies to the Ghana Association of Charlottesville which has been shipped to various health facilities in Ghana to support health delivery in the country. Nana Ghartey added that in May this year, a delegation from Charlottesville travelled to Winneba to cut the sod for the construction of a library complex to serve the people of Winneba and surrounding areas.

Some personalities who are contesting for Charlottesville City Council membership took the opportunity to fraternize with the gathering. They included Kathleen Galvin, Paul Bayer, Colette Blount, Dede Smith, and Paul Garrett who is re-running for the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Members of Organizing For America (OFA), a political think-tank were also present to socialize with the people.

By Augustine Arthur, Charlottesville, USA