NDC-Canada Awards Night & Dinner Dance

The National Democratic Congress Canada Chapter (NDC-Canada) held an Awards night and Dinner Dance in the ballroom of the magnificent Days Inn Hotel and Conference Center, Montreal, Canada. It was to climax its 1st Biennial Congress held from 22nd – 23rd August 2009.

The Awards Night and Dinner Dance brought together NDC members, sympathizers, friends of NDC from across Canada and the United States of America, the leadership of the NPP in Montreal, Ghanaians living in Montreal and Toronto and several Ghanaian entrepreneurs operating in and around Montreal. The atmosphere in the ballroom looked great, with the flags of NDC and Ghana, hanging everywhere showcasing the true spirit of the Akatamanso party.

In his welcome address, the Chairman for the occasion, Mr. Kwaku Oduro-Bonsu thanked all the dignitaries and invited guests who travelled from far and near and finding the time during their busy schedules to honour the invitation. He said their presence at the function, irrespective of their political affiliations was in conformity with H.E. President John Evan’s Atta Mills’s message of being the President of all Ghanaians irrespective of one’s political affiliation. Mr. Oduro-Bonsu reminded Ghanaians to encourage political tolerance and dialogue among themselves, work together in order to bring the necessary developments to our motherland.

After the Chairman’s address, the guests were served a three course meal and several verities of drinks, organized by the Food Committee led by Mrs. Gifty Marmon, supported by Mrs. Eunice Danso-Amegbe, Mrs. Stella Oduro-Bonsu and Ms. Bridget Amegashiti.

After the dinner, it was time to address the audience. The first to speak was Nana Asumadu Duah, Chairman of NPP Montreal Chapter. Nana Asumadu Duah thanked the NDC-Canada Chapter, especially members of the Montreal branch for inviting the NPP to their function. He said members of both political parties in Montreal were friends even before the advent of NDC and NPP. He said there was no need for them to be fighting among themselves but to work together to move Ghana forward. He said the Awards Night & Dinner Dance was the beginning of good things to come for both parties here in Canada.

The next to speak was Dr. Clement Apaak of NDC-British Columbia branch. He conveyed greetings from the Chairman of NDC-British Columbia branch, Dr. Kwami Agbemenu. He reiterated the call for unity among Ghana’s political parties. He said we in the Diaspora need to focus more on ideas that would help our people back home. He recounted the dilemma of Mr. Ibrahim Essandoh of British Columbia who recently had a kidney transplant after a difficult beginning to get his brother in Ghana a visa to travel to Canada to donate his kidney. He said when the community came together to fight on behalf of Mr. Essandoh, what first appeared impossible was quickly overcome and the visa was issued to his brother. He said as Ghanaians, we need to forge together to fight for our common interests especially in the Diaspora. He thanked NDC-Canada for championing the fight to save Mr. Ibrahim Essandoh’s life.

When it came to the turn of Mr. Kwame Aboagye Agyemang, Chairman of NDC-Greater Toronto Area Branch to speak, he passed the torch to Mr. Simon D.K. Adzraku, a founding member of NDC in Canada to speak on his behalf. Mr. Adzraku recounted the formation stages of NDC in Canada which he described as “the difficult years.” He said after the establishment of the Toronto branch, he was introduced to Mr. Jonathan Addo and Mr. Kwaku Oduro-Bonsu with whom he worked tirelessly to establish the Montreal branch about twelve years ago. He said the pioneers of NDC in Canada, after worked so hard all these years to sustain the party, and was therefore surprised that today, certain individuals who recently joined the party are claiming leadership of NDC in Canada and calling the founding members dissidents.

Other speakers at the event were Mr. Appiah Twumasi Ankrah, 1st Vice Chairman of NDC-USA Chapter and Mr. Daniel Baiden-Nimene, Vice Chairman of NDC-Washington Metro Area branch

One measure of the success people attain is their contribution to society. Acting on this belief, NDC-Canada recognized the contributions of its members and other members of the Ghanaian community who have supported the NDC during the difficult times and continue to do so.

Three categories of awards were presented.

The first category presented by Nana Atta Ware, Abusiapayin of Asateman Association went to Ghanaian businesses and individuals. The recipients were Alhaji Sani Bello and Mr. Oduro (African Teacher).

The second category presented by Nana Asumadu Duah, NPP Chairman went to NDC members in Toronto who have distinguished themselves over the years. They were: Mr. Kwame Aboagye Agyemang, Mr. Simon D.K. Adzraku and Mrs. Josephine Anyo Gbediame-Afranie.

The third category presented by Dr. Beatrice Ofosuah went to NDC members in Montreal who were there from day one when NDC was born in Montreal. They were: Barima Akrasi-Sarpong, Mr.& Mrs. Kwaku Oduro-Bonsu, Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Addo, Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Marmon, Mr. & Mrs. Smart Amegbe and Mr. & Mrs. Nii Okine Robertson.

The partying continued until about 3:00 a.m. The MC for the evening was Mr. Nii Okine Robertson. Music was provided by Coby Sounds and video coverage was by Afrique-Canada TV.

Some of the guests that attended were: Nana Osei Agyemang Opambour, Ashantefuohene of Quebec; Nana & Mrs. Asumadu Duah, NPP Chairman; MrYakubu Amadu, President of Ghana-Canada House; Mrs. Lucy Amadu, Vice Chairperson of Ewe Association of Montreal; Mr.& Mrs. John Kiipo, Chairman of Northern Ghana Association of Montreal; Barima Akrasi-Sarpong, Member of Council of Elders of NDC-Canada; Alhaji Sani Bello, Owner of Marche Ghanacan; Ohemaaba Bonsu, Mrs. Rebecca Kwaofio, the Queen mother of Ga-Adangbe Association; Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Ofosuhene, Abusiapayin of Okyeman Association of Montreal; Nana Atta Ware, Abusiapayin of Asanteman Association; Mr. & Mrs. Abrokwa-Ampadu; Mr. & Eric Dankwah; Mr. & Mrs. Kwadwo Appianing; Mr. Joe Kissi, Chairman of Kwahuman Association and a Member NDC-Canada Council of Elders, Mr. & Mrs Gabriel Yaw Dalous, Secretary of Ghana-Canada House; Mr. & Mrs Wisdom Fiadzo; Mr. & Mrs. Victor Koto; Mr. Gerald Arhin, the PRO of Ghana-Canada House; Dr. Beatrice Ofosuah; Mr. Kwame Abogye Agyemang, Chairman of NDC-Greater Toronto Area Branch; Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Marmon, founding member of NDC in Montreal; Mr. Jonathan Addo, Chairman of NDC-Canada Council of Elders; Mr. Simon D.K. Adzraku, a founding member of NDC in Canada and member of the Greater Toronto Area branch; Mr. & Mrs. Nii Okine Robertson; Mrs. Eunice Danso-Amegbe; Mr. & Mrs. Kwaku Oduro-Bonsu, Chairman of NDC-Montreal branch; Mr. Appiah Twumasi Ankrah, 1st Vice Chairman of NDC-USA Chapter; Mr. Daniel Baiden-Nimene, Vice Chairman of NDC-Washington Metro Area branch; Madam Dede Dufour, Treasurer NDC-USA Chapter; Mr. Apetsi Kumassah, Deputy Youth Organiser NDC-USA Chapter; Mr. Prince Agyemang, the Youth Organizer of NDC-Washington Metro Area branch; Dr. Clement Apaak of NDC-British Columbia branch; Hon Gilbert Agyei, former MP for Akwatia; Mr. Charles Nkansah, founding member of NDC-Canada; Mr. Obed Adore, founding member of NDC-Canada; Mr. James Quayson, Vice Chairman of the Greater Toronto Area branch; Nana Bawuah, Secretary of the Greater Toronto Area branch; Ms. Mavis Tekpeki, Organizer of the Greater Toronto Area branch; Ms. Edna Aryee, Mr. & Mrs. Kojo Oduro, Youth Organizer of NDC-Montreal branch and Mr. Ben Attipoe.

The congress ended on Sunday August 23, 2009 with a big barbecue party at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Marmon that lasted till the wee hours of the night.

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) branch has accepted the challenge to host the next NDC-Canada Biennial Congress scheduled for August 2011.