Before we know it, late 2008 will be here and the process of electing a new group of leadership for Ghana will be upon us. The 2008 election will be the fifth since 1992. That will be a record for Ghana as it experiments with western-style democracy. That is the good news. The better news is that there is a movement in Ghana?s Parliament as you read this article to make ALL eligible Ghanaians of 18 years and older who live outside the country, to vote. That last image your eyes glossed over is meant to say ?period?. The best news will be when we in the Diaspora take this reclamation of our franchise seriously and actually engage in the debates; decide who is best qualified to lead our country until 2012; and actually cast our votes from the comfort of our adopted countries. Simply imagine the impact. Now the annual remittances of billions from the Diaspora to support our country will be matched by the power of the vote! Wow!

Great things start as ideas; then become movements then go into action. We are at the action part and we need YOU. If you are serious about wanting to vote in Ghana?s Presidential elections in 2008, then YOU are invited to attend one of two workshops being given by no less a person than the esteemed Deputy Chairman for Operations of the Ghana Electoral Commission, Mr. Kwadwo Sarfo Kantanka.

He has agreed to make time from his private visit to the US to meet with Ghanaians and explain how the process will work to ensure that all votes are secured and counted for the intended candidates. Your ideas will be welcome. There will be two sessions. The first will be in Houston on Saturday July 9, 2005 at 4: 00 pm at the Hilton South West and the second will be in New York City at the Ghana Mission on Sunday July 10, 2005 at 3:00pm. This is the time for all of us to take our pride and birthright seriously. Do you want to ensure that Ghana does not pile up a new round of debts and money is put to good use for everyone?s benefit? Then please show up and on time, be you NDC, NPP. CPP, Republican, Democrat or Independent.