2012 CEANA Convention launched in Houston, TX

The 19th Annual Council of Ewe Associations of North America Convention (CEANA) was launched in Houston, TX, on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 24, 2011. The launching marks the beginning of programs and activities that will culminate in the three-day CEANA convention on Labor Day weekend, 2012, in Houston.

CEANA, a high-profile nonprofit organization that operates as an umbrella group for all Ewe Associations in North America, organizes an annual convention in one North American city to round off its activities for the year. The Ewe Association of Houston, the hosts of the 2012 convention, organized the well-attended launching event to mark the start of preparatory activities toward CEANA 2012. The ceremony was held at the popular Rose’s Gardens Banquet Hall in Southwest Houston.

The evening began with the arrival of invited guests, and leaders of various Ghanaian and Togolese associations. Some of the notable invited guests included Dr. Araba Aikins, the President of Ghana Association of Houston; Roukiya Karim, the President of the Togolese Association of Houston; Mr. Nii Obli-Armah of Ga-Adagme Association of Greater Houston; Dr. Sam Forjuoh, the President of Asante Kroye Kuo; Nana Serwaa Akoto, Asantefuohema of Houston; Rev. Anane-Sekyere of United Ghanaian Presbyterian Church of Houston; Rev. Fosu Akyea of First Love International Church, Rev. Nyaho of San Antonio, and representatives from Ewe Association of Dallas, in addition to other church and community leaders. Highlights of the ceremony include a launching address by Dr. Peter N. Abotchie, the current CEANA President, who appealed to the community to develop an interest in charitable giving as well as in organized programs that are geared toward facilitating the development of our local districts back home. The major fundraising event of the evening was a mega raffle, which included prizes such as widescreen Toshiba HDTV, Asus notebook PC, as well as Dumas wax prints and multiple African-wear. Authentic Ewe cuisine was on display by the hardworking women of the Ewe Association, and guests had multiple servings of yakayake, abolo, akple, dzenkple, ayikple, aboboi, fetridetsi, amadetsi, azidetsi, in addition to the ubiquitous kenkey, wakye, jollof, etc. DJ Kissi performed flawlessly, as he dished out a seamless ensemble of agbadza, bobobo, azonto, old and new Togolese, Beninois, and Ghanaian highlife/Hihlife tunes for the entertainment of patrons. The event, which was aptly described by many as ‘festive’, was thoroughly enjoyed by Ewes and non-Ewes alike.

Over 750 attendants are expected to attend CEANA 2012 on Labor Day weekend (Aug 31-Sep 2, 2012) including delegates from cities in the United States, Canada, and Europe, and traditional rulers from Ghana, Togo, and Benin. The ambassadors of Ghana, Togo and Benin are also expected to attend. The convention will offer a series of symposiums on: Youth education, Youth entrepreneurship, and Economic empowerment as the vehicle for the development of Eweland.

Current CEANA Member Associations are: Ewe Association of Houston; United Volta Association - New York; Volta Association – Washington, DC; Ewe Association of Chicago; Ewe Association of Colorado; Ewe Multicultural Association of Alberta; Ewe Alliance of U.S.A.; Ewe Association of Georgia (Atlanta); Ewe Association of Dallas; Ewe Multicultural Association of Ontario (Toronto); Ewe-Canadian Cultural Organization of Ontario; Ewe Habobo of Southern California; Ewe Association of New England; Mile Novisi of Florida (Miami); Ewe Association of Quebec; Novinyo Habobo of Delaware Valley, Philadelphia; Ewe Association of Mississippi/Arkansas/ Louisiana; Ewe Association of North Carolina; Global Partners for African Development.

Visit www.eweassociationofhouston.org for further information on CEANA 2012.

Dr. PN Abotchie,

President, CEANA & EAH