Ghanaian Kids at Six Flags

Chicago, July 16 2006 -- Prayers of the kids who attended the first ever trip to six flags organized by the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago, GNC, last year , were answered when the organizers put together yet another successful trip yesterday, July 15 2006 for the kids to the popular Gurnee thrill center!

Each child paid a registration fee of $25.00 and in turn received a replica jersey of the Ghana Black Stars .They also received free food tickets and free round trip transportation.

The organizers provided two convenient locations for pick up and drop off for the children. These were 6100 S. Michigan Avenue (south side) and 4433 N. Ravenswood (north side), in front of the GNC office. Departure times were 8:00 am at the south side location, 8:30 am at the North side and arrival times were 7:45 pm north side and 8:15 pm south side respectively.

The group was seen of by Reuben Hadzide, President of the GNC, John-Henry Assabill, Vice-President, GNC, Mr. Kutor, Assist. Business Manager,GNC, Mr. Yeboah, elder and D.J 88.5 FM station, Ben Lartey, Chairman, Ga-Adangbe Organization, Mr. Sowah Botchway moderator, GNC, Eddie Anani Akorlor, member GNC and Nana Owusu Ansah, elder, Asanteman Association.

Some of the chaperons for the kids include Dr. Mark Kutame, Secretary, GNC, Berlinda McKwartin, Assist. Secretary, GNC, Mariam Issakka, P.R.O of the GNC, Afua Agyeman, Youth Secretary, GNC , Adjoa Yeboah and other volunteers from the community.

The planning of the trip was solely done by the Youth Secretary of the current administration of the GNC, Afua Agyeman.

Upon arrival at Six Flags, the kids were divided into four age groups, the 7-8, 9-10, 11-14, 15-18 year olds. The older groups were openly noticed chit chatting, exchanging phone numbers and email addresses, whilst the younger kids were playing and enjoying each other. Prior to boarding, the parents were also noted to be enthusiastically introducing their children to other children and their parents.

At the six flags, the children discovered the ultimate nostalgic rides at the Magic Mountain and the Hurricane Harbor. Exhilarating rides and wildly wet water adventures gave the children the fun they were looking for! SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN...THE XTREME PARK has the largest collection of XTREME roller coasters on the Planet! Known world wide as a thrill ride haven, Six Flags Magic Mountain features 16 world-class roller coasters and over 100 rides, games and attractions for the entire family.

The Park is home to 11 different world records!

Rides like Giant drop, Batman, Déjà Vu, Virtual Velocity, Raging Bull, Superman and Iron wolf combines hairpin turns & zero gravity, spinning and twirling its occupants like a toy. These fast moving rides sends riders to the edge of their seat and ecstasy! An unrestricted drop from the top of a 10-story tower, plunging at 55 miles-per-hour in just two seconds or cars twirling high into the air or get plastered to a wall at a 45-degree angle were designed really for the iron hearted and the kids were up to the challenge as they jumped back onto these rides with enthusiasm!

Concerns of parents that such an important program for the kids may not last long prompted the GNC president to inform Ghanaweb that the GNC will do all it can to keep the program going because it is not only necessary but important to invest in programs like this for our kids. “The long term social impart on these kids cannot not be underestimated” Reuben concluded.

The trip was sponsored by the Ghana National council and MoneyGram International.