The United African Organization (UAO) , an advocacy coalition of African national associations dedicated to social justice, civic participation and empowerment of African immigrants and refugees in Illinois sent this message, through its Executive Director, Alie Kabba, to the Ghana National Council and Ghanaians in the diaspora on the occasion of Ghana's 51st Independence Anniversary Celebrations.

The Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago is a member of the United African Organization.

GHANA: A Reflection on Hope..By The UAO

As the first colonized African nation to gain independence, Ghana's emergence in 1957 marked the beginning of the end of Western colonial conquest and occupation of Africa. The new nation inspired the global African community and gave hope to millions of colonial subjects all over the world - from Indonesia to Jamaica - that freedom was knocking on the door.

The wind of change that began with Ghana's independence blew across seas, mountains, deserts and valleys to trumpet a new day in Africa. It gave hope to a young Nelson Mandela and Patrice Lumumba; it opened a path in the night for Algerian and Kenyan freedom fighters; it ignited anti-colonialist agitators in Nigeria and Zambia; it galvanized Sekou Toure's Guinea to say "No" to French colonial rule; and it rattled the mind of Ian Smith in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) who thought that African majority rule would not happen in a thousand years.

Ghana was, indeed, the hope that colonized Africans needed when the night was long and cold.

Ghana's first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, articulated the special role of Ghana as an immaculate symbol of African dignity and respect. He saw in Ghana's independence the seed of a New Africa. His visionary construction of African unity remains the foundation of our long march toward a continental Union Government.

In looking far ahead in 1957, President Nkrumah proclaimed that "the independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent."

As we celebrate Ghana's 51st independence anniversary, we must reflect on the current state of the African continent and commit ourselves to building a New Africa - a truly independent and democratic United States of Africa.

Meanwhile the Ghana National Council here in Chicago in collaboration with its affiliate organizations,have planned an elaborate celebrations to mark the day in Chicago on March 8 2008. A dinner dance comes off at The Grand Ballroom , The Westin Hotel, 6100 River Road, Rosemont Illinois from 7 p.m to 2.a.m. Activities include live traditional cultural performances by renown artists in the Chicago area.

Proceeds from the event will support programs to serve needy children in Ghana.

For more information, Please contact: John Henry at 773-556-3179; Berlinda McKwartin 773-556-3159 or Sadik Bosompem at 773-556-3158.