Mayor of Chicago Praises Ghana National Council Leadership!

The Mayor of Chicago, Mr. Richard M. Daley, touted the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago. GNC, as one of the most effective community leaders in the culturally diverse city of Chicago. The mayor expressed these sentiments when Ghana’s ambassador to the United States, HE Daniel Ohene Agyekum paid a courtesy call on him. The short meeting took place at Mayor Daley’s office amidst exchange of gifts and pleasantries on Tuesday May 18 2010. The ambassador presented to Mayor Daley, a beautiful portrait of Obama’s visit to Ghana, a Kente sash and wooden sculpture and others. The mayor gave the ambassador a picture book depicting the rich cultural diversity of Chicago, Chicago’s famous architectural landmarks and others.

Mr. Agyekum extended warm greetings from the president and citizens of Ghana to the mayor and the people of Chicago.

Mayor Daley lauded the excellent sister city relations between the cities of Chicago and Accra. “Since 1989, the Accra Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International has been involved in humanitarian, medical, cultural, and education initiatives, as well as promoting trade and business.” The mayor explained to the small gathering which included the president of the GNC, Mr. John Henry Assabill and Attorney Robert Bennett, the fore-runner for Honorary Consul General in Chicago.

The Chicago Accra Sister City Committee focuses on humanitarian efforts like fundraising for a modern hospital in Ghana; coordinating a relief effort with the United States Embassy in Accra that resulted in immediate shipment of needed medical supplies and children's clothing to Accra; and coordinating and shipping 25,000 donated books and educational materials to Accra for use in a citywide mobile library program. In 2006, the committee hosted the Tapestry Fashion Show featuring eight renowned Chicago fashion designers. The designers created one-of-a-kind garments with traditional Ghanaian textiles. The committee also hosted “Chicago Worldview: Impacting the Environment of Ghana.” This panel discussed the practices and long-term benefits Chicago will have on the rural and urban areas of Ghana.

The mayor informed the ambassador that, Ghanafest, a neighborhood festival in the city of Chicago, has grown to be one of the biggest and most attractive cultural celebrations. Robert Bennet asked the mayor to attend the Ghanafest once again.

The ambassador has since returned to his base in Washington