Ghanaians in Charlottesville celebrate Independence anniversary

Ghanaians in Charlottesville in Virginia, USA have celebrated Ghana’s 56th Independence Anniversary with a special get-together. The occasion which attracted Ghanaians, citizens from other African countries, and some members of the City of Charlottesville was organized by the Ghana Association of Charlottesville.

The Chairman of the Association, Nana Akyeampong-Ghartey, used the occasion to trace the history of Ghana’s independence.

Nana Ghartey stated that Ghana has become a beacon of democracy in Africa with a peaceful atmosphere that is conducive for investment. He therefore urged Ghanaians in the diaspora and the business community in Charlottesville to invest in Ghana’s thriving economy.

The Chairman of the Association disclosed that last year, the University of Virginia Health System donated a large quantity of medical supplies to the Association which were shipped to Ghana to support health care delivery in Ghana. He added that the Charlottesville Sister City Commission also gave a grant to the Association to help defray part of the cost of shipping the medical supplies to Ghana.

The Mayor of Charlottesville, Satyendra Huja, in a brief address commended Ghana for her sustained democracy and also commended the Ghanaian community in Charlottesville for being law abiding. He said there is a strong bond of friendship between the City of Charlottesville and Ghana as a result of a sister city cooperation between Charlottesville and Winneba in the Central Region of Ghana. As part of activities marking the independence anniversary, awards were presented to individuals and organizations that have supported the Ghana Association of Charlottesville over the past years. They included the Charlottesville Sister City Commission, the Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Charlottesville, and Mr. Anthony Max Yeboah, a member of the Association.

Members of the Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) of the Church of Pentecost in Charlottesville entertained the crowd with some gospel musical choreography while DJ Shaggi dished out good Ghanaian highlife and azonto music. The national anthems of USA and Ghana were also played.

The immediate past Mayor of the City of Charlottesville, Dave Norris; the Vice Mayor of Charlottesville, Kristin Szakos; and the Sheriff of Charlottesville, James Brown III assisted the Chairman of the Ghana Association of Charlottesville to cut the anniversary cake.

Typical of a Ghanaian function, variety of Ghanaian foods and drinks were served to the crowd.