New York: As Ghana marks the 60th anniversary of its independence, Ghanaians in New York Area also joined the National Council of Ghanaian Associations (NCOGA) to celebrate this historic event in the Bronx. The event attracted many Ghanaians and other African Nationalities across the five boroughs of New York and neighboring States of Connecticut and New Jersey. Ghana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mrs. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, who was the Guest speaker of the occasion, reiterated the President’s message of charging Ghanaians to embrace the selfless attitude of the Nation’s forebears.

NCOGA and Ghana Permanent Mission in New York have drawn sequence of activities to commemorate Ghana’s Diamond Jubilee, throughout the year. The climax of all the four activities outlined for the month of March was Saturday, March 11th fundraising event. The year-round celebration was officially launched at the Mosque in the Bronx, followed by Ghana’s flag raising ceremony in Yonkers city Hall and a public lecture at City Hall in NYC. According to the organizers, they expect more programs in the summer. The outgoing Executive Secretary-General, Hon. G. Ofori Annor, in a speech read on his behalf by Ms. Ivy Rose Quarshie, expressed his appreciation to the Board of Directors and his Executives for their hard work during his tenure as ESG. He further challenged the in-coming executives to work harder to sustain the values of the founding members.

The in-coming Executive Secretary-General, Hon. Frederick Ansong-Dwamena, in his speech defined some of the major projects undertaken by NCOGA and its relevance to the community. He further explained that the Tax and immigration town hall meetings, financial and health seminars are all part of the programs NCOGA was established to do. He urged Ghanaian citizens to patronize such meetings and ask relevant questions that would educate and empower them. In paying homage to the founding members of NCOGA, the in-coming ESG asked current members of the organization to emulate the spirit of togetherness and the vision that moved the founding members to inaugurate this noble organization in 1986. He further stressed, “NCOGA is 30 years old and we must evaluate our relevance and, maybe, do things differently so that the legacy we leave behind is more meaningful to the younger generation”. I’m urging all gathered here, tonight, to help raise enough money for our Free SAT and GED classes which begins this July, he added.

He urged member Associations to, also, support the Diamond Jubilee Education Trust Fund by paying their annual membership obligations. The awarding of scholarship will be fair to all and anyone who meets the requirements will be considered, without any discrimination; one of the Board members echoed during an interview with African Christian Network (ACN). Two students, Sasha Somuah and Mesidi Agbenu, who outperformed at NCOGA’s annual essay competition, were awarded.

The new Executives for NCOGA (2016-2018 Group) are Hon. Patrick Ohene-Gyan (Deputy ESG), Hon. Victor Quarshie (President), Hon. Napoleon Sefordwi (Vice President) Hon. Emmanuel Asante (Treasurer), Hon. Wisdom Hackman (PRO), Hon. Sophia Obeng (Financial Secretary).

The event was sponsored by companies like, Conti-International, a New Jersey based company, Safe water Network, Kosmos energy; Medishare, South African Airways, Prestige Travel & Marketing, Helping Africa Foundation and other local businesses.