Toronto Ghanaians celebrate 54th Independence anniversary

At the Old Polo Grounds in Accra, Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory in a fiery speech declared that “Ghana’s independence is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of Africa.

“Ghana our beloved country is free forever, freedom!!! This was the scene at the Polo Grounds when Dr. Nkrumah flanked by some party stalwarts with the presence of the big 6, Obetsebi Lamptey, Ako Adjei, Ofori Atta, JB Danquah, Akuffo Addo, Nkrumah included, gave that speech. It has been 54 years since this scene was played out.

The Ghanaian community in Toronto converged at the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church, 51 High Meadow Place to celebrate Ghana’s 54th Independence Day Anniversary. The theme for the celebration was “Ghanaian-Canadian Today and Tomorrow” It was jointly hosted by the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) and the Ghana consulate of Toronto.

The Fa Nyame Pathfinders Ministry of Ghanaian SDA Church Toronto, started the function with a match past after which Rev. Frank Adu of the Presby Church gave the opening prayer. The two MCs for the event, Stephen Adjekumhene of Ghana Methodist Church and Lucy Crentsil Gospel Super Star introduced the chairperson, guest of honour and other invited guests.

The national Anthems of Canada and Ghana was rendered by Annabel Twum supported by the crowd, and the 2 MCs led in the singing of “Yen Ara Asase Ni” which was composed by Ephraim Amu.

The chairperson for the event, Osabarima Nana Sasraku Dr. La-Kumi a Toronto Dental Surgeon started his remarks by acknowledging the presence of all invited guests and started the speech Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah gave on the eve of Ghana’s independence on 6th March 1957

He continued that ‘a lot of us grew up in Ghana but we have become Ghanaian-Canadians by dint of the fact that we have adopted this country to be our abode where we earn a living and our prosperity.” “Some of our children have been born here. We have to inculcate into our youths a sense of belonging to Ghana by developing the necessary attachments to the motherland so as to maintain our culture and flourish it for our next generations to come,’ he added. “We have to be part of the Canadian mosaic by involving ourselves in the political administration of the country we live in where decisions affecting us are taken. “ The time has come to see a Ghanaian-Canadian City Councilor, a Ghanaian-Canadian member of both the Provincial and Federal Parliaments. The time has come for Ghanaian-Canadians to positively think about establishing credit union in Canada to provide funding to our own businesses. We need to support our indigenous based Ghanaian-Canadian businesses to succeed in our environments. There are over 100,000 Ghanaians in this country and we need to be recognized from coast to coast as formidable community in Canada,” he continued. Dr. La-Kumi furthermore added that Ghanaian professionals in the diaspora who have acquired skills and knowledge in various fields are encouraged to organize themselves to volunteer their services to various institutions in Ghana. This will show love, concern and duty to our country, Ghana.” He called on the Ghanaian Government to establish proper infrastructure to make it possible to attract and create new businesses, when it comes to establishing business in Ghana,” and also the call upon diasporan Ghanaians to help the motherland with their acquired skills and wealth. Finally, Nana Sasraku La-Kumi I, also remarked that remittances by diasporans to Ghana amounted to over 2 billion dollars which went towards economic growth at the moment, Nana said that the Government of Ghana has mandated a Constitutional Review Committee to review and prepare recommendations in areas of the 1992 constitution that needed amendment. Articles 92 and 94 in chapter 3 of the constitution prohibits Ghanaian citizens by birth or naturalization who take on citizenship of another country from remaining as citizens of Ghana, joining the public service as well as running for some high elective offices. We feel that these articles are discriminatory and we are therefore asking the government to repeal the chapter to let democracy prevail as found in other countries.” Lastly, we should all be supportive of the actions of the Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario ( GCAO) which forms the mouth piece for all of us, “

READ THE ENTIRE SPEECH OF DR. LA-KUMI

The Consul General, Mr. Kwadwo Mawutor, who represented Ghana High Commissioner in Ottawa, in his short speech, brought greetings from the President of Ghana, H.E. Prof. John Evans A Mills and H.E. Dr. R Turkson. He appealed to Ghanaian-Canadians to be law abiding.

Nana Tabiri also took the opportunity to speak to the youth to focus on their studies and shun bad gangs to enable them be productive to the society. He said they should lead decent lives and not to engage in nefarious activities which most of the time leads to untimely deaths.

The program was interspersed with entertainment with performances by the choirs of Presbyterian church, Ghana Calvary United Methodist Church, Lighthouse Assembly of God Church and a solo by Evangelist Diana Asamoah, and a Cultural display by Gyamfua and her cultural dancers.

Before the swearing-in of the new executives of GCAO, Dr. Twum Barima head of the council of Elders gave a brief history of the GCAO from its inception to present. He then officially handed the baton of power to the new executives headed by Wofa Yaw Nyarko, who also gave a short speech and promised to move the association forward with the help of the community. An appeal for funds, to run the association was initiated after which the 2 tier Ghana’s birthday cake was cut by Osabrimah Nana Sasraku I supported by the executives and all pastors at the event. Vote of thanks was given by secretary Gifty Amoah with closing prayer by Pastor Isaac De Graft followed by refreshments. The Event was sponsored in part by MoneyGram International.

Picture: Cutting the Cake to celebrate the 54th anniversary. Dr. La Kumi flanked by Consul General Mr.Kwadwo Mawutor, GCAO officials and some Community members.