Epic gathering at 2010 CEANA Convention

By Dr. Selete Avoke

September 3-5, 2010 marked the largest gathering of people from the Ewe tribe across Ghana, Togo and Benin at the Hilton Hotel McLean Tyson’s City, Virginia. The theme for the convention was “Employing Education and Business Investments as instruments for developing Eweland”. Over 500 Ewe family and friends flew or drove from different parts of USA, Canada, Europe and Africa to this epic gathering. On Friday, September 3, 2010, Mrs. Afi Vodi Dua and Mrs. Cynthia Nkansah led a team of youth of Volta Association to put up an electrifying cultural display and fashion models manifesting the Ewe culture. Ms. Doris Dzameshie welcomed convention attendees; and Mrs. Margaret Korto, in her address to the audience asked CEANA leaders to involve the youth in their program as they hold the key to the future. The drums, music and cultural displays that followed the address were magical and enchanting. Children as young as 5 years and adults as old as 70 years proactively participated in the cultural displays. The traditional outfits won were breath taking and spot on for the event. The crowd was infected by the cultural display. The eclectic display of culture mixed with the drums and singing created an atmosphere of naturalness. For a moment, it brought back memories of the old country. Prof, Kwame Ansah-Brew and his Fritete dance group also featured powerful performances.

September 4th marked another eventful moment. The day was spent with meetings, workshops and deliberations. The speakers made presentations on various topics at the workshops – Mr. Derick Glymin spoke on business investments in Eweland with particular emphasis on approaches to doing business in Ghana, Dr. Anthony Wutoh spoke on how to avoid HIV and treatment options, Col. Cyril Necku (rtd.), Volta Regional Deputy Minister listed a number of potential investments in Volta Region and invited workshop participants to take advantage of them; and Dr. Padmore Agbemabiese spoke on the need to promote our cultural identity and authenticity particularly with our names.

The pivotal moment was in the evening. One could observe a display of the most remarkable African dresses. The rainbow of outfits was a clear manifestation of the different Ewe tribes across the universe. In addition to these, there were others present who preferred Western outfits. Collectively, the mixture of attire was a reflection of Ewes the traditional and non-traditional background. Inevitably, each outfit worn made a statement to those present. After a welcome message from Mr. Edwin Agbonyitor, CEANA President, good will message on how to maintain our cultural values in the face of diversity from H.E. Excellency Daniel Ohene-Agyekum, Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S. and a keynote address by Dr. Bernard Glover, member of Council of State, on the need to invest in Eweland and a report on crude oil find in the Volta Region; the floor was opened for the music and dance to begin. The young and old took to the floor. The disc jockey was at his best. The dance was non-stop. Throughout the night one could hardly see anyone sitting down with an expression of boredom. The highlights of the night were high quality cultural performances by Volta Ensemble led by Mrs. Adzo Eseli Nutakor and her team of singers and drummers. The Ensemble performed different pieces of dance with one particular dance depicting how the Ewe people fled from King Agorkorli. Awards were presented to Ms Ivy Rose, immediate past Executive Director of CEANA and team of officers at the CEANA Secretariat for their services. United Volta Association of New York received a trophy (donated by Dr. & Mrs. Padmore Agbemabiese) for the being the association with the most members at the convention. The office of the CEANA Secretariat is now in Washington, DC with Mr. William Adzimahe as the new Executive Director.

The dance hall was electrical. Everyone seemed to be having a moment of their lives. The dancing and merry making continued till around 1 a.m. Even when the music stopped, one could observe others asking the disc jockey to keep on playing. Unfortunately, the laws in Virginia and the contract with the hotel did not allow the music and dance to go beyond the intended closing time. Obviously, to some individuals, 1 am was too early to go to bed. Inevitably, individuals made arrangements to continue with the merry making till around 5:00 am in their rooms.

September 5th was the zenith of the convention. Those who were able to get up early attended church services. Soon after the church service led by Rev. Kennedy Odzafi and a team of Pastors, everyone gathered at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, Maryland for a picnic and health fair. The Health Fair was coordinated by Mrs. Margaret Korto of the office of Minority Health. The picnic and health were open to friends, family members, and even the public. People received health literature and also checked their basic health data. Food was plentiful. Drinks were available. To top it all, it was a family friendly event. Both traditional music and western music were played at different ends of the park. Folks were connecting and re-connecting with each other. People made friends, danced, took pictures, made videos and captured the epic moment. By 7:00pm, all the fun and merry making had come to a close. Those who lived nearby bade farewell to old and new friends. Those that were driving or flying to their destinations left the following day. Generally, about 1,000 individuals showed up. This was the largest gathering in the history of the coming together of Ewe Associations of North America (CEANA). Overall, CEANA this year had the most attendants. It was fun, stimulating, eventful and by all accounts, the best so far. The hosting chapter, Volta Association of Washington DC, and its planning committee members should be applauded and acknowledged for a wonderful presentation and a perfect show case of how to host a convention. Congratulations!. Personally, I had a wonderful time. I hope you all had a great time too. See you next year in Toronto, Canada. Canada, you have a very difficult act to follow. But I know you are ready to host us next year. Good Luck

Comments by other attendees

My gratitude to you all for supporting CEANA. Allow me to sincerely thank the convention speakers Efo Derick Glymin to open our mind on business, Dr. Anthony Kwaku for his healthy advice, our Sister Margaret Korto to Promote and improve CEANA, Dr. Padmore Agbemabiese, we can always improve and promote our culture without loosing the authenticity of the folklore. Thanks to our Honorables Dr. Glover, Col. Rtd Cyril Necku, the Ambassador, all the Togbui (chiefs) and all the invited guests.Thanks to the old Executives led by the incredible sister Ivy Rose Quarshie and to our forever CEANA MC Efo Mawuli. Thanks to our Pastors for a wonderful church service the Sunday morning. Congratulation to Volta Association of Washington DC and the planning committee. CEANA will live forever. For those who missed the 2010 Washington, I hope everything work out better for you to join us next year

September 1- 5 2011 in Toronto.

Regards and God bless

Kuesi Amegah-Wovoe

President ECCOO Toronto & CEANA

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I have been to almost all of the past CEANA conventions and the 2010 CEANA Convention is best.

Togbui Kwaku Yador

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I think Washington did well and deserves congratulations.

CORNELIUS ACKUMEY

I join those who have already expressed their gratitude, those yet to express it, and still others who will think of expressing but will not actually do it, for organizing that talk-of-the-town CEANA 2010. As is always the case, that good time had to come to an end in spite of the fact that some of us would have loved to stay one more day, which would have been an added "burden" to you all.

Regards,

BG