NCOGA Advisory Board Inaugurated

Faced with the task of re-energizing its sagging fortunes, the New York based National Council of Ghanaian Associations has put together a team of highly accomplished individuals to help navigate these troubled times. Members of the new Advisory Board, as it is called, are drawn from several areas of disciplines in academia, business, religion and social activism. It is conceived as a leadership body that, as its name implies, will counsel and offer complimentary or alternative solutions and strategies by which the Council can going forward, tackle mounting challenges facing it.

These prominent individuals who have proven themselves in many private and public endeavors heeded the invitation and have since been inaugurated into a new advisory board at brief and impressive ceremony held at the Maestro banquet hall in the Bronx. It started with a round of self-introductions in which the invitees individually laid out their motives for accepting the invitations. Many said it comes out of a desire to contribute their expertise to the improvement of the quality of life among Ghanaians living in the USA, starting with those in New York City. For some, it offered opportunities to serve their homeland. Others see it as an invitation to involve themselves once again in several on-going initiatives such as a World Trade Center to Ghana and relief in cash and medical supplies to victims of natural disasters in Ghana

After a brief invocation by Chief Imam Alhaji Gambo, the president of NCOGA, Mr. Lloyd Ledlum, expressed his gratitude to the group, members of which needed no calling cards about their achievements. Ghana’s Consul General, Mr. Joseph C. Ackun, stood in for His Excellency Ambassador Kanda to officially perform the inauguration rite. He charged the group to remain true to the Council's avowed goal of working towards the social and economic wellbeing of all Ghanaians both abroad and back at home. The Executive General Secretary of NCOGA, Mr. G. Ofori Anor thanked the volunteers for their willingness to serve for four years. Dr. Victor Essien, interim chairman of the board, urged the members to check "Ghana politics" at the door and rise above factionalism. Pastor Boachie's Christian invocation closed the event.

If the sense of patriotism, camaraderie and purpose exhibited at the inauguration was an indication, then NCOGA is in for a turnaround courtesy of a strong advisory board only to the benefit Ghanaians and Ghana. With its finances and influence dwindling each passing day, observers see this as a good move to help the Council back on track to fulfilling its goals and destiny. Members of the Board that attended the event were Dr. Victor Essien, Dr. Kofi Boateng, Dr. Yao Kaledzi, Dr. Anokware Ketusogbor, Dr. Kofi Adu, Dr. S. Asante, Dr Mabel Asante, Ms. Florence Ofori, Dr Okyeniba Mensah, Ms. Nellie Kemevor, Attorney Kuntu Blankson, Attorney John Akpalu, Mr. Eddie Somuah (Prestige Travels) and Mr. Daniel Adjei (Kuwait Shipping), Pastor Ben Boachie and Chief Imam Abdullahi Gambo.

Others who had accepted the invitation but could not attend due to other commitments include Dr Twum Boafo, Nana Anyane Kwatia II, Mr. Japhet Aryiku and Dr Victor Lawrence.

Also present were Rt. Col Prince Twumasi Ankrah, Mr. Fred Dwamena, Dr George Lamptey and Ms Adelaide Sackeyfio all NCOGA executives.

An impressive slate of young men and women was brought along to demonstrate the Council's desire to pass on the torch to our youngsters. It included Mr. Kwasi Safo-Asante, medical student, Ms. Akua Safo-Asante, mechanical engineer, Ms. Adjoa Asabea Anor, banker and Ms. Awo Agyapong, college student. To them belongs the future. Unto us, the exiting generation, comes the assurance that the continuity of our hopes and dreams is assured.

By G. Ofori Anor, Executive General Secretary