First Ghanaian Society of NJ donates to flood victims

A group of Ghanaians in the State of New Jersey, USA, has made a generous cash contribution to victims of the recent northern region flood disaster.

The First Ghanaian Society of New Jersey, a socio-cultural, non-political, and not-for-profit organization, presented a check for five thousand dollars (US $5000) to the victims in a ceremony at Newark, NJ last week. The Deputy Ghana Consul-General in New York, Mr. Joseph Ngminebayihi received the check from Mr. George Adusei-Bonsu, President of the Association.

In his brief remark at the occasion, Mr. Adusei-Bonsu reminded those present at the gathering of the heavy rains and floods in September 2007 that displaced over half a million people in the Northern parts of Ghana. He recalled that several lives were lost, and homes, schools, crops and livestock were washed away. Practically, the Northern Region was uninhabitable, he said. "In response to this natural tragedy," the dynamic and affable President continued, "help began to pour in from all over the world for the flood victims. The First Ghanaian Society of New Jersey is here today to join the donors and relief bodies. On behalf of the Association, I hereby present a check for five thousand dollars ($5000) to you, our Honorable Consul-General for the flood victims' fund in Ghana. This is our widow's mite contribution towards the rebuilding of the northern region, and to complememt the great efforts of other donors."

The Association also unveiled twenty-eight (28) hospital beds valued at about twelve thousand dollars ($12000) that it was sending to the Ministry of Health for needy clinics in Ghana. Mr. Adusei-Bonsu took the opportunity to thank Ms. Shelly Wyatt, the Administrator of the Southern Ocean Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Manahawkin, New Jersey, and Mrs. Regina Appiah-Mends, a Ghanaian registered nurse at the healthcenter who helped in the acquisition of the beds.

President Adusei-Bonsu (known popularly as Kwame Piesie) concluded his remarks by thanking his executives and the entire members of the Association for heeding to his call to make these donations possible. He also extended a warm invitation to other Ghanaian residents in New Jersey to join them for a noble cause. "We wish to take this opportunity to invite Ghanaians in the State of New Jersey and non-Ghanaians who may subscribe to the aims and principles of the Association to further explore the possibility of joing us, for in unity is our strength."

The goals of the First Ghanaian Society of New Jersey, among others, are to foster unity, friendship and support among members. It seeks to enhance the Ghanaian traditional spirit of togetherness, and to promote assurance of the personal well being of members and non-members alike.