Ghanaian Community in Washington Celebrates 58th Anniversary .

Ghana's 58th Independence Anniversary Celebration was celebrated by the Ghanaian Community in the Washington DC Metropolitan area at the La Fontaine Blue Ballroom, Lanham, Maryland.

Ghanaians from all walks of life thronged the venue, displaying the Ghanaian way of life in an American setting, display of Ghanaian culture, dancing away the night with good old Ghanaian highlife music and dressed as Ghanaians in the rich kente cloth.

The event, organised by the Council of Ghanaian Associations (COGA), had His Excellency Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Henry Smith, Ghana's Ambassador to the United States of America as the Guest of Honor and was chaired by Asantefuohene of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, Taferebuo Nana Kofi Boateng. Other distinguished guests who graced the occasion were Dr. & Mrs. Charles Osei Dankwah, Dr. & Mrs. Kofi Agyapong, Mr. & Mrs. Abeeku Arthur and Mr. Adolf Kofi Afful.

In his opening remarks, Taferebuo Nana Kofi Boateng said Ghanaians must be guided by their past mistakes and must stride into the future with confidence. "We should let our nation's 58th independence anniversary bring us Unity, Love ,Tolerance, Progress ,Peace and should cherish our country since we don't have any other country apart from Ghana to call our home", he emphasised.

As Ghanaians in the United States of American, Taferebuo Kofi Boateng advised the gathering, mainly Ghanaians, not to lose sight of their rich culture and also not forget that they are duty bound to help in Ghana's national development and while domiciled here in the US, should abide by the laws of America by being good Ambassadors of Ghana.

"Please, let us stop the insults and attacks on government and insinuations back home in Ghana rather let's use the media, both print and electronic to motivate our leaders" he told his audience.

The Guest of Honor, His Excellency Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Joseph Henry Smith, Ghana's Ambassador to the United States of America reiterated that Ghana Embassy has an open door policy which means that every Ghanaian is welcomed to the Mission at all time.

That is why he expects Ghanaians not only to come to the Embassy when they need Visa or Passport but should visit the Embassy to offer their ideas and suggestions that could help in national development.

Ambassador Smith reminded Ghanaians, especially the business men and women that the country needs them to help in national development and asked them to assist the government in its investment drive.

He said Ghana does not only need their remittances but also their investment back home to help boost the national economy adding "government alone cannot solve the problems of the country".

Ghana's leading role as model of democracy and good governance in Africa, Ambassador Smith said means the country is moving forward despite the current economic and energy challenges, that is why we must all join hands to help Ghana overcome the current challenges.

We should not allow our political affiliation makes us unpatriotic he said, adding politics is to help us choose leaders of the country and not to be used to destroy the country, once elections are over we all become one people with one purpose, developing our country.

The chairman of the Council of Ghanaians Associations of Washington Metro Area (COGA) numerated activities of the Association over the years and said the Association has donated 100 orthopaedic beds to ten hospitals and clinics in Ghana, an amount $1,000.00 was also sent to flood victims in Northern and Upper regions of Ghana.

A special appeal was lunched for the Otoase Orphanage, near Nsawam, which according COGA was in dire need of food, clothing, shelter and financial assistance.

COGA said all the money raised from that evening's Dinner Dance will go to the aid of the Orphanage to help ease the financial constrains that is having effect on the children.

Mrs. Rowina Moses-Wadie, Public Relations Officer of COGA expressed COCA'S profound gratitude to the sponsors of the program, Money Gram , Arik Air, and Premier Financial Alliance, and thanked them for their support.