Chicago-USA--One of the oldest and dynamic Ghanaian organizations in North America, The Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago (GNC) faces its worst leadership crises since its formation seventeen years ago and places this year’s Ghanafest celebrations in jeopardy.

The GNC late last year adopted a new election platform by which the elected president will select his/her cabinet, but the positions of the Treasurer and the sergeant-at –arm are elected by the Council.

The often postponed elections came off in March this year but the outgoing president, Mr. Clement Timpo, surprised all by dropping out of the race for president due to health reasons and thereby left Dr. Abdallah Yahaya, his opponent unopposed; no votes were cast by the council to affirm Dr. Yahaya’s presidency.

A source close to Dr. Yahaya, who is unknown by many Ghanaians in Chicago and new in the council, informed me that he has difficulty forming a cabinet to take over the administration of the council.

Speaking to key members of the outgoing executives, this reporter learnt that the main reason for their mass exodus was due to many factors including lack of appreciation for their work by the community.

One past executive member complained that whilst some members of the GNC has nothing to offer the Ghanaian community and are unwilling to serve in positions, they kept badgering key past leaders without offering alternatives.

The outgoing executives listed many achievements including:

• Increased corporate funding for Ghanafest activities.
• Increase in services at Ghanafest celebrations.
• Obtained funding for Ghana’s Independence anniversary celebrations.
• Obtained funding for Children’s programs.
• Obtained 501? 3 Tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service for the GNC.
• Obtained Illinois Tax exempt status for the GNC.
• Increased revenue for Ghanafest Adbook and printed calendar for the community.
• Created website for the community.
• Promoted relationships between the city of Chicago, the African community and other communities in Chicago with the Ghanaian community.
• Obtained annual funding from the city of Chicago for Ghanafest celebrations.

Some past executive members I spoke with pray that any new administration should finish what they had planned to do in the next two years, i.e. liaise with the city of Chicago to promote social services for new immigrants and the community, seek block grants and acquire community center for the Ghanaian community.

It is the wish of all Ghanaians in Chicago that the present leadership crises fade quickly so that the GNC could bounce back stronger and proficient. Source: