Ghanaians in Minnesota celebrate Ghana @50

The Ghanaian Association of Minnesota-GhanAM celebrates Ghana @50

Ghanaians in and around the State of Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin celebrated Ghana’s 50th independence with a grand ball on March 10 2007 at the John P Murzyn hall in Columbia Heights.

The one week event started on March 3 2007 with a colorful cultural display by the Macalester College African music ensemble under the directorship of Professor Sowah Mensah. The students treated the Ghanaian community to music on kpanlogo, kete, agbadza, borborbor, gome etc etc. Addressing the audience before the start of the show, Mr. Kwami Ahelegbe told the audience that Ghanaians are really proud of their culture and was thankful that the aspect of music in our culture has been learnt by others who were going to perform it to us.

The following Sunday, GhanAM sent a representation to the church of Pentecost and requested prayers to be said for all leaders in Ghana and other leaders leading Ghanaian groups abroad

The grand ball on March 10 2007 attracted a huge crowd of Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians. Among some of the invited guests were the executive director of the council of Black Minnesotans, Lester Collins, and delegations from Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Togo. Miss Decontee Kofa, Miss Liberia-Minnesota 2006 was in attendance to give some radiance to the celebration

In his speech to the audience, Kwami Ahelegbe, the interim president called for unity among Ghanaians and among Africans. He stressed that the political fight has been won and we now need to rededicate ourselves for the second phase of our emancipation; the economic freedom. He warned that if we do not do it ourselves no one will do it for us. He paid glowing tribute to those who started the process of decolonization of our dear Ghana.

In his keynote address, Mr. Ben Taylor said Ghana has made significant progress within the fifty years it has been an independent country. He stressed that more needs to be done and those of us living outside the country will need to make contribution no matter how small to the struggle to win economic freedom

Leaders of the various ethnic groups and African countries were invited to assist the interim president to cut the anniversary cake. The floor was opened for an all dance with Asiedu Mantey as the MC and Felix Paintsil in the DJ’s chair.