NDC Hit Western Canada with a Big Bang

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) hit Western Canada with a big bang successfully launching the British Columbia and Alberta Branches of NDC Canada Chapter. This launching event was held at the Conference Hall G1205 Kwantlen Polytechnic University, 12666 72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC with the support of Friends of Prof. John Evans Atta Mills. The event is part of the growing commitment of NDC Canada Chapter to regroup and to develop the party here in Canada. Dr. Clement Apaak introduced the invited guests and touched on the hard work done by members in these two provinces and the National secretariat of NDC Canada Chapter to bring the party to Western Canada. In his welcome address, Dr. Kwawu Agbemenu, the British Columbia Chairman encouraged the membership to work towards fostering cooperative relationships among Ghanaians through social networking and enhance the transfer of technological know-how to develop Ghana. He lamented the derailment of the progress of Ghana after the overthrow of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and said we need to refocus Ghana to take her place among the international community. Dr. Agbemenu called for unity of the party as one family with the conviction and compassion to dedicate ourselves to defend and promote the ideals of the NDC party so as to move Ghana forward. Mr. Charles Kwesi Nkansah, the General & Propaganda Secretary of NDC Canada commended members of NDC British Columbia and Alberta branches for their initiative to join in building the party here in Canada. He urged them to make the NDC party a forum to address common issues of interest for the Ghanaian community and as a support network to assist in the development of Ghana. Mr. Nkansah also commented on the great sacrifices and ordeals members in British Columbia and Alberta have gone through before coming this far. He said it is gratifying that after eight years in opposition the NDC is back in power with a Better Ghana agenda and we are going to move until the message of a Better Ghana reaches our people everywhere. We are happy that NDC has made a big bang in western Canada and we are all proud to see this day come to us. In a keynote address read for him, the Chairman of NDC Canada Chapter, Mr. Jacob Marmon congratulated NDC British Columbia and Alberta for overcoming all those who were very skeptical when the idea of forming branches of the NDC in these parts of Canada was conceived. He said many are those who mocked on hearing the name NDC let alone forming branches of the party in other parts of Canada. He said the great NDC family; the great umbrella has arrived on the west coast and is forever enduring and our greatest mission and aspiration is marching forward for a better Ghana than we can all be proud of. He called on all Ghanaians to support the NDC government under the leadership of President John Evans Atta Mills in shaping a Better Ghana. Officially launching in the British Columbia and Alberta NDC branches, Hon Gilbert Kwasi Agyei National Organizer of NDC Canada Chapter and a former MP for Akwatia thanked members for their efforts and hard work. He inducted the Executives of the two branches into office and called them to duty to work for the progress of the party.

The following were sworn in as Executives of the British Columbia Branch:

• Dr. Kwame Agbemenu:- Chairman

• Dr. Clement Apaak: - General Secretary

• Mr. Stanford Amofa Mensah:- Organizer

• Ms. Ruby Becky Arkoh:- Treasurer

The following were sworn in as Executives of the BC Branch: • Mr. Otto Akatey:- Chairman

• Mr. Alex Kodzo Mensah Kumah: - General Secretary

• Mr. Weseh Adda:- Organizer

• Ms. Mary Kumah:- Treasurer

In their acceptance speeches on behalf of the newly inaugurated branches, Dr. Kwawu Agbemenu and Mr. Otto Akatey expressed the gratitude on behalf the of British Columbia and Alberta Branches to the Chairman of NDC Canada, Mr. Jacob Marmon and his executives for ensuring a united front in support of the party’s ideals, believes and tenets. In his speech, Mr. Akatey mentioned that when Ghanaians embarked on the political, economic and social self-determination on March 6, 1957; they were very much aware that the journey was not a matter of a tea party or jamboree. He said the fourth Republic was born by the NDC with the vision of ensuring probity, accountability and equal justice for all Ghanaians, and not a selected few.

Dr. Charles Ouist-Adade, a lecturer at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Mr. Gibril Korom, the Editor and Publisher African Canada Magazine, a popular magazine for the African Diaspora were also present at the ceremony. Solidarity messages were received from Mr. Kwaku Oduro-Bonsu, Chairman of Montreal Branch,Mr. Smart Amegbe, Vice Chairman of Montreal Branch, Ms Mavis Tepkeki on behalf of NDC Toronto Branch and Mr. Simon D.K. Adraku 1st Vice Chairman of NDC-NACC.

Ms. Ruby Becky Arkoh, Treasurer of NDC British Columbia gave the vote of thanks while Mr. Stanford Amofa Mensah Organizer of NDC British Columbia branch said the closing prayer to bring the first part of the event to an end at 7:00 P.M. PST.

A social gathering followed the official launching at Surrey where members were treated to a variety of delicious Ghanaian dishes, music and dancing.

To learn more about the NDC Party in Canada, contact the Secretariat of NDC Canada Chapter at info@ndccanada.com or 514-999-9194. Read more about the event here: http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/article.php3?id_article=4236 Source: NDC Canada Chapter (info@ndccanada.com)