Denver, Colorado (Sunday, January 13, 2008)
It was a gathering devoid of partisanship, though the guest, in official terms, represents one of Ghana?s main political parties, the NDC (National Democratic Congress). The meeting was simply one of Ghanaians passing time together and discussing issues of common interest to all.
It was Sunday afternoon, the 13th of January, 2008 and in Denver, Colorado.
Members of The Rocky Mountain Ghana Association, led by its President, Flight Lieutenant (Rtd) Samuel Tandoh and Vice-President Raphael Agbenyo, had come to say ?akwaaba? (welcome) to Hon. Albert Kwasi Zigah, Member of Parliament for Ketu South Constituency, who was on a short visit to the Mile High City.
A brief introduction of The Rocky Mountain Ghana Association as a self-help, non-profit umbrella organization representing several ethnic Ghanaian associations in the Denver area, set the tone for the visiting legislator?s discourse.
In his submission, Hon. Zigah touched mainly on issues relating to leadership and development.
The MP defined the qualities of a good leader as one who possesses: good character, competence, patience, love and concern for his/her community and above all, the capacity as a good listener. Human frailty dictates that a leader cannot be without some weaknesses, yet the test of good leadership cannot be other than as stated, the Ghanaian legislator added.
He thanked the leaders for their dedication and selflessness for maintaining a homely atmosphere for all Ghanaians in Denver and Colorado.
On investment and development opportunities, the lawmaker advised his compatriots to use contacts in their new country to sponsor projects back home, and identified four key areas of importance:
? micro projects (some of which may require as little as a few thousand dollars, yet yield high returns);
? community development projects (non-profit as well as commercial);
? human resource development (skills training and knowledge transfer); and
? girl-child education
On personal projects, the Honourable Member of Parliament observed that it would be interesting to see more Diasporian Ghanaians consider part of residential property investments in the rural areas especially, if their backgrounds are from there. Such an approach, he intimated, would serve as another form of infrastructural development in those areas. He reminded his audience that this call is a revision of current practices.
Honourable Albert Zigah thanked all for taking time out to meet him on short notice.
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