The Volta Citizens Union based in Amsterdam in collaboration with Novisi Foundation and other Ewe Groups have organized Ewe Cultural festival in Amsterdam city of Netherlands over the weekend, Saturday 21st May, 2011 at Bijlmer Park Theater- Anton de Komplein 240.

The colorful ceremony was aim to raise funds in support of Agbeleveve health post in the Volta Region of Ghana in terms of medical logistics to alleviate the deprived inhabitants from total collapse of their health situation.

Before the time scheduled, the Theater auditorium with a capacity of 1500 seats were fully occupied with people from all corners of central Europe. The invited guests include: Nana Asamoah Kobi, Nana Odei Nsiah, Nana Akua Afihene and many other distinguished Nananoms from Amsterdam.

Other dignitaries who were present include, Dr. Med. Yao Amengoh (Volta-Mono Union, Germany), Dr. John Attipoe, Reverent Ministers, Representatives from Dutch local Government, Representatives of Ghanaian local unions in and around Amsterdam.

Sister Unions from other neibouring Countries were not left out. They are: Ewe multicultural International community based in Belgium with group leaders, Efo John Legbedje and Kodjo Konde, Ewe Dukor of Germany whose umbrella members are : Ewe Unions of-Hamburg, Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, and Oberhausen. The key leaders who accompanied the union members to grace the occasion were: Mr. Daniel Torkornoo, Torgbui Philip Avanyoh, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, Pat Govina, Esther Semavor and Sika Tamakloe aka Ms Berlin

With laud applause, Ms Sena Nyavor called Mr. Ben Kodjo Asamani to the podium and introduced him as the Chairman of the occasion. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the union executives for choosing him to chair the function. He further appealed to all invited guests to support the planning committee’s; effort in raising funds to help the deprived local communities back home.

Her Excellency, the Ambassador of Ghana to Netherlands, Mrs. Aanaa Y. Enin , was supposed to have been the special Guest of honor but unfortunately, the invitation co-incided with other programmes and for that matter, her speech was delivered and read on her behalf by Mr. PAS Quarshie.

The most exciting session of the program was when a beautiful lady used a calabash to skillfully display in a traditional idiom to welcome the audience and also showing expression of gratitude especially to the following valued institutions that sponsored the program. They include: Afro Shop Ganzenhof, Unity Monetary Service, Cee Moon, Royal African Travels and Cardy Shop. There were many other cultural display competition performed to entertain the audience and also to project real values of Ewes numerous cultures in Ewe lands of Ghana, Togo and republic of Benin. Drumming and dancing performances include, ADEVU, AKPALU, AKAYE, BORBORBOR and AGBADZA.

The sight attraction which sparked off high applause by the audience was when Ewe Dukor of Germany led by Daavi Pat and Efo Torkornoo appeared in colorful traditional outfits in the company of decorated team performers with Ewe flags, traditional drumming gadgets, colorful bead-chains around their necks, waists and their wrists stormed the floor to capitalize the show. The atmosphere explained itself that, indeed Ghana, precisely Volta region has got valued culture backed by styles and rhythms. The excellent dramatic performers of the night were: Efo Kotoka Vedzessou, Efo Borbor and Francis Adiegah whereas the MCs of the occasion were Efo Kobla Agbozu and Ms.Barbara Aglago.

Dr. Med. Yao Amengoh was however, invited to give lectures on the health system in the rural areas of Ghana, precisely the Volta Region. He appealed to the union members to adopt the system of educating the folks back home about the dangers of living in unhygienic environments. He laid much emphasis on the causes of various diseases include diabetics, hypertension, cholesterol and others.

Mr. Daniel Torkornoo and Philip Avanyoh (Union Members from Germany) as well as Mr. Legbedje and Mr. Konde respectively were invited to the podium to deliver the closing remarks. In their speech, they thanked the audience the invited guests as well as the union members for honoring their invitations to join them for the celebration. They also commended the Amsterdam Ewe Union planning committees for their dedication and hard work.

Report By: Mensah Dekportor. krisview@yahoo.co.uk

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