With reflection on of the ongoing political impasse and the multifaceted socio-economic issues heart-rending friends and families back home in Ghana, the euphoria to celebrate Ghana’s 56th Independence Day in a typical Ghanaian faction was very low in Ireland this year. That is, the vim from the many to go out and celebrate was very low. However, ‘with the never say die mentality of Ghanaians’, it was a different scenario on the 9th March 2013 at Clayton Hotel in Galway, Ireland.

On that memorable day, Ghanaians from all the Counties in Ireland came together in the sixth most populous city on the island of Ireland and celebrated the life of late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

The event with the theme, ‘Bridging Cultures together’, was used to address some of late Dr Nkrumah’s vision for Africa and how some of his views mimic with Ireland’s multiculturalism agenda. The event hosted by Ghana Association Galway and for the first time since the inauguration of Ghana Union Ireland, witnessed an impressive turn-out from the Ghanaian community – together with friends from Nigerian, Chinese, Irish, South African, Togo, Cameroun, and Zimbabwean backgrounds.

Piecing together what really happened, the event started with the Ghana National Anthem, and by its standard, the programme was well interspersed with prayers (Christian, Islam and Traditional), speeches, nationalistic songs, cultural displays, panaches of spectacular azonto displays and open-floor dance session i.e. in-between programmes. At one stage, the Mayor of Galway and his entourage couldn’t help it, but rather has to join the beautiful men and women clad in stunning ‘Bonwire Kente’ dresses and cloth performing the traditional ‘Kete and Adowa’ dance. It was typically celebrated in traditional Ghanaian style with a wonderful banquet and wine reception at the Clayton Hotel, Doughiska.

The evening was a huge success with special guests: the Deputy Mayor of Galway, Cllr. Frank Fahy, Kim Chan from the Chinese Ireland Association, Fr. Martin Glynn from the Good Shepherd Parish, Ernest Bishop from the Galway City Partnership Board and Conal Kearney and Anna King from the newly established multicultural DRA youth theatre project: Public Space Theatre Company. With the theme of the evening being bridging cultures together, there were some powerful speeches delivered that demonstrated a passion and commitment in bringing all nationalities and cultures together to build a shared vision for the future, one that respects and values diversity and difference. Mr Randy Nkansah Asante, the chairperson of Ghana Association Galway, in speech, went on to ask guests to ponder on how to build bridges between people. He challenged all present with the question “what each individual is doing to make Ireland the multi-cultural society that they would like to live in and the sought of legacy they would like to leave for the children and the unborn generation”. Following that, he spurred everyone to become active and develop some sought of interest in local community activities and together make Ireland a Home away from Home. The special guest of honour: mayor of Galway ‘Cllr Frank Fahy’ identified the need for different cultures to be bridged and highlighted Ireland’s milestone in integrating different cultures within the societies. He reflected on the importance of Ghana and Ireland to explore other avenues that could spur job creation and strengthen the existing ties between these two hospitable countries, citing the likes of Tullow Oil and other companies currently operating in Ghana.

Fr. Martin Glynn contributed to the theme for the evening of migration and community building, highlighting that “People from all over the world have come to our city in search of work. Their hope is to be treated with respect and equality. To find a place where they will be offered the opportunity to develop their talents and nothing more or nothing less. The more things change the more they remain the same. As our community has grown with new people, they hope for exactly what we Irish had hoped for when we emigrated. It is my sincere wish that we will give to others with a generous heart what we hoped for ourselves.” Adding to that, Mr Kwabena Antwi Bosiako the chairperson of Ghana Union Ireland, made a humble request to Ghanaians and the community at large to be part of any good cause within their different localities and help in any local community agenda supporting the States goals to promote multiculturalism and other social agendas. He reiterated the importance of children from all backgrounds to integrate into the mainstream cultures and made a plea for parents to play a vital role in achieving this goal. He stressed that ‘parents should help raise children not to see colour, but rather, raise children to develop the mindset of common cultures’. Emphasising that, Ireland could become unique and serve as a model for other countries to replicate if all contribute in changing mindset in this positive direction.

The event climaxed with non-stop music and requires the intervention of the Hotel Manager to alert the time limit specified for the programme. Ghana Union Ireland and the County Associations are gaining an unprecedented momentum in local communities’ development initiatives, and represents and brings together Ghanaians living in Ireland under one umbrella with the aim ‘maintaining and promoting our cultural heritage, whiles fostering a smooth integration into the Irish community’.

For any further information, please contact: Ghana Union Ireland: Email: ghunion.ie@gmail.com; Web: http://ghanaunionireland.org/

Information By: Ghana Union Ireland