New York, NY -- It was that time of the year again and the Labour Day weekend over the years has been termed "The CEANA WEEKEND"; 3 days of fun, unity, meeting old friends/school mates, citizens from the Eweland convene and discuss ways they can continue to make a difference in the Eweland.
The world's super power organization of the Eweland, The Council of Ewe Association of North America (CEANA) took its huge and popular convention to New York, the Big Apple. The host, United Volta Association which is led by its new and hardworking President; Togbui Setranah who received the mantle to become the President of CEANA at the just ended three day event. Also from New York and who has been appointed; the Executive Director of CEANA; Ms Rose Quarshie who also wears a hat as the Deputy Executive Secretary General of the another high-powered organization; National Council of Ghanaian Association (NCOGA); organizers of the big New York Picnic. Mr. Mawuli Agbenu also became the Deputy Executive Director. There were 15 member associations of CEANA and also were some members from London and Germany.
What is interesting about CEANA which is worth sharing was that; the event is not only about a celebration but 2 days of the event is geared toward various meetings discussing current issues pertaining various towns. The unity among members is never underestimated, all members are dedicated to support their towns financially, 100%. This unity was witnessed by non-Ewes in attendance and it also became a lesson to be learned in making a difference in our communities.
During first day of the event; there was a roll call of member associations where the representatives will meet and each will mention his/her current state of affairs and what needs to be done. It was also an opportunity for the President and the CEANA Secretariat to present the state of CEANA and highlight the previous year's accomplishments.
The second day was the general meeting to welcome dignitaries, attendees from across the globe and sponsors of the event. Vendors and sponsors were at hand to promote their products. Also there was a table set up by www.myghanaradio.com, the only Ghanaian online radio showcasing strictly traditional and old school Ghanaian music.
CEANA is making every effort to incorporate the youth in the event. This was demonstrated by the Youth Night; (the first evening of the event) a party solely for the youth, welcoming them to the event and also during the procession of the royal family to the banquet, five young girls were dressed traditionally to lead the procession while the exciting UVA Cultural Troupe under the great leadership of Mr. Clemence Mikoku performs.
The last day activities involved; a church service in the morning to bless the convention and its attendees by some members of the clergy including; Rev. Kennedy K. Odzafi of the Ewe Church of America, Silver Spring, MD. A picnic followed till the evening and the subsequent storytelling time which was strictly adults only and some convention attendees do always look forward to that evening.
The dignitaries in attendance were; His Excellency, Hon. Obeng Gyan-Busia, the Consul General, the Guest of Honor; Dr.George Afeti, Principal, Ho Polytechnic, the Keynote Speaker. There were also four Members of Parliament who travelled from Ghana to be part of the CEANA convention namely;
Hon. Joe Gidisu, MP - Central Tongu, Hon. Albert K. Zigah, MP- Ketu South, Hon. James Avedzi, MP- Ketu North and Hon. Ernest K Yaka, MP- New Edubiase. Representatives from GATTA; Mr. Albert Botchway and Mr. Ken Otchere were there to talk about their worldwide raffle drawing in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee. The delegates from Germany won the raffle draw; a round trip ticket to Ghana. Special guests were; Dr. Anukware Ketosugbo, Dr. Yao Kaledzi, Mr. EddieDitchfield-Agboh, Dr. Dotsevi Sogah, Mr. Blaise Akpakli, Togbe Awadada Agbesi Awusu II and Togbe Foli Ameanyo II.
Sponsors of the CEANA 2006 convention were;: Money Gram, Nationwide Advantage, Starling Medical, North America Airlines, Ambassadorway Travel and Tours, Elite Shipping, Universal Shipping, New Horizon Medical Offices and Andrew Aklassou & Co.P.C.
The organizers were excellent in their event planning even though the Sheraton Hotel at the last minute informed them of the massive renovation ongoing at the hotel. This meant many of the halls could not be used and led to the banquet being held at the nearby exclusive Marriot Hotel at Teaneck. Flyers for directions to the Marriott and the park for the picnic were distributed to attendees. This solved the confusion and helped those who were not familiar with the area. Hospitality by the organizers to the invited guests/non Ewes was incredible. The most popular word, learnt was; "Akpe" meaning thank you.
The next year's event will take place in Ghana and Dr.George Afeti, Principal, Ho Polytechnic has offered his school as the venue. Ambassadorway Travel will have the Herculean task of dealing with all the travel arrangements.
Akpe in this regard.
New York, NY -- It was that time of the year again and the Labour Day weekend over the years has been termed "The CEANA WEEKEND"; 3 days of fun, unity, meeting old friends/school mates, citizens from the Eweland convene and discuss ways they can continue to make a difference in the Eweland.
The world's super power organization of the Eweland, The Council of Ewe Association of North America (CEANA) took its huge and popular convention to New York, the Big Apple. The host, United Volta Association which is led by its new and hardworking President; Togbui Setranah who received the mantle to become the President of CEANA at the just ended three day event. Also from New York and who has been appointed; the Executive Director of CEANA; Ms Rose Quarshie who also wears a hat as the Deputy Executive Secretary General of the another high-powered organization; National Council of Ghanaian Association (NCOGA); organizers of the big New York Picnic. Mr. Mawuli Agbenu also became the Deputy Executive Director. There were 15 member associations of CEANA and also were some members from London and Germany.
What is interesting about CEANA which is worth sharing was that; the event is not only about a celebration but 2 days of the event is geared toward various meetings discussing current issues pertaining various towns. The unity among members is never underestimated, all members are dedicated to support their towns financially, 100%. This unity was witnessed by non-Ewes in attendance and it also became a lesson to be learned in making a difference in our communities.
During first day of the event; there was a roll call of member associations where the representatives will meet and each will mention his/her current state of affairs and what needs to be done. It was also an opportunity for the President and the CEANA Secretariat to present the state of CEANA and highlight the previous year's accomplishments.
The second day was the general meeting to welcome dignitaries, attendees from across the globe and sponsors of the event. Vendors and sponsors were at hand to promote their products. Also there was a table set up by www.myghanaradio.com, the only Ghanaian online radio showcasing strictly traditional and old school Ghanaian music.
CEANA is making every effort to incorporate the youth in the event. This was demonstrated by the Youth Night; (the first evening of the event) a party solely for the youth, welcoming them to the event and also during the procession of the royal family to the banquet, five young girls were dressed traditionally to lead the procession while the exciting UVA Cultural Troupe under the great leadership of Mr. Clemence Mikoku performs.
The last day activities involved; a church service in the morning to bless the convention and its attendees by some members of the clergy including; Rev. Kennedy K. Odzafi of the Ewe Church of America, Silver Spring, MD. A picnic followed till the evening and the subsequent storytelling time which was strictly adults only and some convention attendees do always look forward to that evening.
The dignitaries in attendance were; His Excellency, Hon. Obeng Gyan-Busia, the Consul General, the Guest of Honor; Dr.George Afeti, Principal, Ho Polytechnic, the Keynote Speaker. There were also four Members of Parliament who travelled from Ghana to be part of the CEANA convention namely;
Hon. Joe Gidisu, MP - Central Tongu, Hon. Albert K. Zigah, MP- Ketu South, Hon. James Avedzi, MP- Ketu North and Hon. Ernest K Yaka, MP- New Edubiase. Representatives from GATTA; Mr. Albert Botchway and Mr. Ken Otchere were there to talk about their worldwide raffle drawing in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee. The delegates from Germany won the raffle draw; a round trip ticket to Ghana. Special guests were; Dr. Anukware Ketosugbo, Dr. Yao Kaledzi, Mr. EddieDitchfield-Agboh, Dr. Dotsevi Sogah, Mr. Blaise Akpakli, Togbe Awadada Agbesi Awusu II and Togbe Foli Ameanyo II.
Sponsors of the CEANA 2006 convention were;: Money Gram, Nationwide Advantage, Starling Medical, North America Airlines, Ambassadorway Travel and Tours, Elite Shipping, Universal Shipping, New Horizon Medical Offices and Andrew Aklassou & Co.P.C.
The organizers were excellent in their event planning even though the Sheraton Hotel at the last minute informed them of the massive renovation ongoing at the hotel. This meant many of the halls could not be used and led to the banquet being held at the nearby exclusive Marriot Hotel at Teaneck. Flyers for directions to the Marriott and the park for the picnic were distributed to attendees. This solved the confusion and helped those who were not familiar with the area. Hospitality by the organizers to the invited guests/non Ewes was incredible. The most popular word, learnt was; "Akpe" meaning thank you.
The next year's event will take place in Ghana and Dr.George Afeti, Principal, Ho Polytechnic has offered his school as the venue. Ambassadorway Travel will have the Herculean task of dealing with all the travel arrangements.
Akpe in this regard.
