Ghanaians Celebrate Independence Day in Charlottesville

Ghanaians have celebrated the 57th Independence Day anniversary of Ghana with activities including a food fair, and a business forum in Charlottesville in the State of Virginia, USA.

The occasion which was organized by the Ghana Association of Charlottesville was full of all fun and excitement as invited guests were treated with variety of Ghana cuisine including waakye, fried plantain and beans, jollof rice, banku and okro soup, aponkye nkakra, kaakro, Fantse and Ga kenkey with fried fish and shito, kelewele, kontomire stew, groundnut paste soup with chicken, kyinkyinga (khebab) among other dishes.


In attendance was a cultural troupe comprising some Ghanaians and Americans who thrilled the crowd with indigenous Ghanaian folklore music and songs with Uncle Arthur, Brother Amankwaah, and Sister Aba leading the performance. The Azonto boys were also not left out in the show.


The Chairman of Ghana Association of Charlottesville, Nana Akyeampong-Ghartey, narrated the historical background on how Ghana gained independence on March 6, 1957 from the British.


The Chairman urged all Ghanaians living in Charlottesville and surrounding areas to join the Association to make it strong and serve as a supporting base for each other.

Important personalities who graced the occasion with their presence included the Mayor of the City of Charlottesville, Satyendra Huja, immediate past Mayor, Mr. Dave Norris, and some members of the City of Charlottesville Council as well as some city officials.


The national anthems of United States of America and Ghana were played to signify the strong bond of friendship between the two countries.


Earlier, a business forum with the theme, “Investment in Ghana: The Emerging New Market of Africa”, was held to attract more investment to Ghana. A documentary on investment opportunities in Ghana was also screened to the participants.