Central Illinois -- The community is invited to a free event celebrating the independence of Ghana.

"CELEBRATION OF GHANA'S BIRTHDAY - 46 YEARS OF SELF-DETERMINATION" will be held from 4 p.m. to midnight March 8 at the Indian Recreational Center, 2940 Peoria Road.

The third annual local event is being organized by the GHANA ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS. Ghana became independent from Great Britain on March 6, 1957.

"The 6th falls on a Thursday, so we're doing it on a Saturday," said JOSHUA ALLOTEY SR., a member of the association.

In existence for three years, the Ghana Association has about 40 members.

Its mission is to educate people about the country in western Africa.

"We also have the objective of helping people in Ghana, like projects (such as sending) books to the library to help the schoolchildren," Allotey said.

The birthday celebration will include a report given by association member Dr. EDEM AGAMAH on the kidney dialysis program at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana.

In addition, a report will be given regarding The Center, a bookstore and information center at 1208 E. Laurel St. IDRIS QADEEM, a member of the Ghana Association, is owner of The Center, which also will have an Afrocentric display at the birthday event.

"That's one of the things that we'll talk about at the function, too, because a lot of people are not aware of it. We need to educate our youth about what's going on in other parts of the world," Allotey said.

Other features of the event will include a display of arts, crafts and African clothing; entertainment that includes singing by a teenage group as well as Ghanaian music and dancing; Ghanaian dishes such as joloff rice (rice with vegetables), peanut butter soup and rice and Ghanaian cake; plus a question-and-answer session with a panel discussing Ghana's past, present and future.

Ghana has a democratically elected government, Allotey said. "The system is basically just like the United States. (They) have a president, congress, executive branch, judicial branch and legislative branch.

"The president can run for two terms, and that's it. In the past, we had a tendency in Africa to stay there too long."

People attending the Ghana birthday celebration are encouraged to wear African outfits.

"This is going to be an annual event. Every year we're going to celebrate Ghana's independence," Allotey said.

For more information regarding the Ghana Association of Central Illinois, contact Allotey at 546-9275 or KWABENA ADOMAKO, secretary, at 698-6196.

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