The Association of Ghanaian Professionals in Ireland (AGPI) is a voluntary organisation formed solely with the purpose of developing Ghanaians resident in Ireland. This is manifest in its mission statement which states: “to promote, develop and realise the full potential of all Ghanaians resident in Ireland so as to enable them participate fully and contribute positively in the Irish and Ghanaian Societies”.
AGPI held its maiden dinner meeting on Saturday the 27th of October 2007 at Fox Hunter in Lucan, County Dublin. Admission was free for all members of the Ghanaian community and over seventy Ghanaians from almost all the major cites of Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Letterkenny, Drogheda, Ennis, Longford and Portlaoise attended. The occasion was used by the association to outdoor its aims and objectives, including their vision and mission statements to the general Ghanaian community in Ireland.
In his welcome address, Dr Vincent Agyapong, a founding member of the association and chairman for the occasion explained that the association had been borne out of the desire to contribute to Ghana’s social, economic and political order by addressing the fundamental needs of Ghanaians in Ireland. He said the association will also seek to mobilise both material and human resource for the advancement of Ghanaian communities both in Ghana and in the Diaspora.
Outlining the roadmap for the association’s objectives, Dr Wilberforce Owusu-Ansah, also a founding member of AGPI, said that the association will be focusing on what he described as 3 E’s and H; which is Education, Employment , Enterprise and Health for all Ghanaians in Ireland. He explained that unlike most associations which are formed primarily with the aim of catering for the well-being of its members, AGPI has been formed, first and foremost, to address the needs of the Ghanaian community in Ireland rather than theirs. .
Other founding members who spoke at the dinner include; Mr Ricky Sarpong, Mr Mark Mantey, Mr Amofa Baffoe, Mr Percival Akpaloo, Ms Lucy Peprah, Mr Yaw Frimpong ,Mr Kwame Takyi and Mr Ekow Agyemang-Prempeh. They all emphasised the need for unity and increased cooperation amongst Ghanaians in Ireland. The guests were also introduced to founding members who have resourceful information on Insurance, Health, Education, Employment, Enterprise, Equality, Legal and Social Issues. A hotline number will soon be set up for the Ghanaian Community in Ireland where enquires relating to the above mentioned Issues will be dealt with confidentially. The founding members also answered questions from the non-members who were in attendance. There was music and dancing to climax the dinner.
Feedback from the memorable night was both positive and encouraging. Mr Randy Asare said; “My wife and I were proud to be part of a perfect night where everyone was invited to be part of this unique association which I believe would be beneficial to Ghanaians in Ireland…..” Mr Kofi Owusu-Ansah also said; ‘“…….at least for once we were allowed to be in the midst of people who have aspiration, dedication and determination to give something back to society….”
