The attention of the Ghanaian Community in Charlottesville in the State of Virginia of the United States of America (USA) has been drawn to a publication posted on the Ghana Home Page (ghanaweb) with the heading, “GOVTS APPOINTEES BUYING HOUSES IN THE USA”.

The Ghana Association of Charlottesville wishes to dissociate itself from the publication. The Association would like to inform the whole world that there has never been any Ghanaian Community meeting in Charlottesville to discuss any issue concerning Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Daniel Ohene Agyekum as being portrayed in the publication.

The Ghana Association of Charlottesville is a non-profit organization and does not dabble in politics. It is focused on promoting the interest and welfare of Ghanaians living in Charlottesville and the Central Virginia area, as well as assisting communities back home in Ghana. The Association recently took delivery of medical supplies worth over $20,000 as a donation from the University of Virginia Health System to support various hospitals and clinics in Ghana. Again, the Chairman of the Association, Nana Akyeampong Ghartey, early this month led a delegation made up of the Mayor of the City of Charlottesville, Dave Norris and other dignitaries from Charlottesville to Winneba in Ghana to cut the sod for the construction of a library complex for Winneba. Such developmental issues are the concern of the Ghanaian Community in Charlottesville. We do not waste our energy and time to meet and discuss unfounded matters that tend to destroy our dear country, Ghana.

It is unfortunate that faceless Ghanaians like Edward Thomas, the so called Managing Editor of the non-existing The African Standard would like to use the Ghanaian Community in Charlottesville to tarnish the image of the Ambassador through such malicious publication. Can Edward Thomas tell the whole world where and when did that meeting take place? Who is Edward Thomas? Is The African Standard a newspaper or a toilet paper? It is evidently clear that Edward Thomas who is coward and could not use his real name in the publication has sinister motives. If Edward Thomas is not being mischievous and has nothing to hide, then the Ghana Association of Charlottesville is challenging him to come forward and face the Ghanaian Community in Charlottesville and tell us when and where we met to discuss the issues he raised in his publication.

The Chairman, Nana Akyeampong Ghartey, would like to invite the imaginary Edward Thomas to attend the Association’s meeting at 322 6½ Street SW, Charlottesville, VA 22903 on the second Saturday of every month from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm and reveal his identity. The Chairman wishes to assure all Ghanaians living in Charlottesville and the Albemarle County as well as the Central Virginia area that the Ghana Association of Charlottesville is still committed to seeking their welfare, and also continue to support developmental projects in Ghana. Again, the Association wants to inform the Ambassador, H.E. Daniel Ohene Agyekum, and any other persons mentioned in the publication that the Ghanaian Community in Charlottesville has never met to discuss any of the matters published. God Bless Ghana.

Augustine Arthur, Vice Chairman & PRO, Ghana Association of Charlottesville, Virginia, USA