Gadangme Union in Italy elects Executives

The Gadangme Union (natives of Greater Accra Region in Ghana) in Emilia Romagna Region, Italy, has elected its Executives Committee at an election in Modena.

Nine positions were available for grabs on the Committee in the first election of the Union, formed in December last year. The event was well participated and also present were Albert Adjei-Klu, an established journalist working with local Radio Station, ‘Obonu’ FM, in Ghana and Titus Evans (alias Bishop T) who hosts the program ‘Bo Oba’ (a special program in the native language of Gadangme called ‘Ga’ on Sundays at 5p.m on Hot Digital Radio in London).

Edmund Agettor was elected as President of the Union with 43 votes whilst Abednego Okley Anang pulled 20 votes to win the position of Vice President against the other candidates - Alfred Adjei, Daniel Nii Trebi Mensah (a.k.a Macbeth) and George Badu. Other members of the Committee elected were Christopher Sowah-Klu as Secretary, Daniel Nii Odai Laryea as Financial Secretary whilst the position of Treasurer was won by Derby Clifford. The rest were Joshua Lamptey as Co-ordinator, Jonathan Adjetey Adjei as Organiser, Aryeetey Sly Teiko as Youth Development Co-ordinator and Joseph Yemo Tetteh elected as Porter.

All the elected officers pledged to carry their duties with diligence and selflessness towards building the strongest Union of Gadangme in Europe.

Adjei-Klu who addressed the elected officers urged them to be resolute in forging the kind of Gadangme Union that will help the course of building the Greater Accra Region in Ghana to its utmost level in resolving its problems. “I am happy to see the kind of Union you people have here in Italy. Your presence at the recent Gadangme Union in Europe Conference in Paris is highly commendable. Your 50 members, that represented your Union, exceeded that of all the delegates from the other 8 countries in Europe put together at the meeting,” he said and added: “Unlike any other place I have been, under the Gadangme Unions, I have seen there is unity and co-operation within your organisation and urge you to keep that spirit.”

The well-known journalist, who won the 1999 Ghana Journalists Association award as the best local language presenter on Radio in Ghana, however, warned the Executives to lead by example. “You will be criticised and bad things said about you but remain focused and carry on your work to the best of your ability. We are visitors here and one day we will go home so let your unity continue to be stronger every time,” he told them.

The celebrated ‘Bo Oba’ Show host, Bishop T, also gave his words of advice to the elected Committee members of the Union suggesting to them about organising functions to raise funds towards helping with development projects in the Greater Accra Region. “Your accountability in monetary affairs will extremely be judged, money can strengthen your Union and also set itself as the tool to disintegrate you. You should account judiciously in this area to members,” he stated. Turning to the rest of the members he charged them to give support to the leaders and not to ‘fight’ with them.

The final stages of the election process, was covered LIVE on ‘Obonu FM, being anchored by Adjei-Klu. Many at the event had the opportunity to send good will messages and greetings to their relations back home in Ghana.

The whole election was conducted by the youths, being children of members of the Union, aged between 12 and 18 years, who acted as an Electoral Commission. The Commission was made up of Annie Martei, Rebecca Mohenu, Solomon Siaw, Laritta Derby, Kenneth Adjei, Armah Anang, Aaron Okley, Ebenezer Adjei, Joana Anum, Laryea Anang and Anna Agettor (their leader) who announced and declared the winners.