GCAO Render June 3 Accra Disaster Relief Funds Account

..... TO GHANAIANS IN TORONTO AT A TOWNHALL MEETING

From Joe Kingsley Eyiah, Ghanaian Presbyterian Church, Toronto-Canada

The June 3 Accra Disaster Relief Committee put in place by the Ghana Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) with support of the Ghanaian Ministerial Association of Toronto (GMAT) to raise funds for the victims in Ghana met with a cross section of Ghanaians living in the Greater Toronto Area at the Ghanaian Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 20, 2015 to give, among other information, the final report on the disbursement of such funds. The chairman of the Disaster Relief Committee, Pastor Quainoo explained the rationale behind the committee's collaboration with the Christian Council of Ghana to disburse the $20,000 among the victims identified in Accra. He said that the Council already had a well established database of the victims and a working machinery to reach out to the victims. The Council, among all other organizations in Ghana, was more co-operative and willing to work with us. There was no overhead cost to us from the Council (see summary of the Ghana Disaster Relief Fund Account at the end of this story)

The townhall meeting was chaired by the dynamic Secretary of the GCAO, Emmanuel Duodu. He called for report on the census project for Ghanaians initiated by the Association in conjunction with the Office of the Ghana High Commission in Canada. Dr. Firang led Dr. Awafo and Prof. Joe Mensah in their report by stressing the need to identify the population and demographics of Ghanaians living in Canada. They have submitted a comprehensive proposal to the High Commission on how best to go about the project and are waiting for a response from the Commission. There was also a report on the Community Home work and Mentoring Club organized by the GCAO for our school children every Sunday at the Apostles Continuation Church at 10 Belfield from 3pm to 5pm. A humble request was made by Teacher Eyiah for more volunteers (from all professions) to assist with the program. It is hope the program could be extended to the Ghanaians in Brampton and Scarborough in the near future.

Members of the Ghanaian Social Work Services Network also made a presentation at the meeting. They promised to be proactive in our community in assisting families and children to overcome the social challenges face in the society. Also, Vivian Ofori and Mary of Our Willingness is Now (OWN) spoke about their Youth Organization's efforts to help tackle some of the environmental issues in Ghana. OWN has already organized a gala to raise funds for a waste management project at ADC School at Dodowa in Ghana early next year. They called for support from the community to achieve OWN's laudable objectives!

The Board of Directors for GCAO led by Dr. Awafo spoke about the forthcoming GCAO elections. He said that preparations are underway to have elections in November, 2016. However, the Advisors asked the Executives of GCAO to rejuvenate the membership of the GCAO Council which comprises ethnic associations and churches in order to make the elections more meaningful.

It was announced that the Ghana Independence Anniversary celebrations and a Youth Summit would be organized in March and May, 2016 respectively. Committees are already working on the plans for Anniversary celebration and the Youth Summit.

Two important comments came from the floor. That, a committee for all Youth Projects should be put in place to coordinate all youth projects in the community. And that, our community needs a strong/good leadership which will concentrate on big things to move the community forward.

The meeting was started with a prayer by Pastor Quainoo and was closed with a prayer by Rev. Dr. Asmah.

Ghanaian Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO) in Conjunction with Ghanaian Ministerial Fellowship of Toronto (GMFT) Ghana Disaster Relief Fund Account For The Period June 12 to December 18, 2015

Donations received Vigil & Prayer Evening - Continuation Church= $2 ,330.40

Fundraising Event - Presby Church= $15,110.00

Other Donations after fundraising event= $7 ,220.00

Total Donations= $2 4,660.40 (100%)

Disbursements Relief Donation - Christian Council of Ghana= $20,000.00 (81%)

Event Publicity - Local news media –Toronto= $400.00 (2%)

Presentation Event in Ghana - GCAO official= $450.00 (2%)

Post presentation report in Ghana - GCAO official= $1 ,350.00 (5%)

Reports preparation and printing – brochure= $450.00 (2%)

Bank fees & charges= $72.28 (0%)

Total Disbursements= $2 2,722.28 (92%)

Balance on account= $1,938.12 (8%)