The Ghanaian community in New Zealand?s largest city, Auckland, got together on Sunday 9 March, to celebrate the 46th anniversary of Ghana?s independence, which fell on Thursday 6 March 2003.

The interim executive of the newly formed ?Ghanaian Association of Auckland? organized this meeting, at the Grey Lynn community center in Auckland, to mark this special event in the national calendar. The well-attended event got underway at about 5.30 pm with the introduction of key personalities in the Ghanaian community by Dr Charles Ampomah-Dwamena (Master of ceremony). Also present at this independence celebration were people of other nationalities, who came to show solidarity with Ghanaians.

The meeting rose to the singing of the New Zealand national anthem in English and Maori languages, led by Miss Ama Ampofo and the Ghana national anthems in English and Twi led by Mr Peter Mensah.

Mrs Nardu Agyeman, a barrister and a former civil servant in Ghana, set the tone for the celebration by giving a keynote presentation of Ghana?s history, from the arrival of the Europeans to our shores, through the struggle for Independence to the current democratic establishment. Touching on the struggles by our forbearers such as Dr JB Danquah and Dr Kwame Nkrumah towards Ghana?s Independence, she exhorted Ghanaians in Auckland to work together to make the new Association live up to its dreams and objectives. Dr Charles Ampomah-Dwamena advised the members present, that irrespective of the problems that may be encountered, all should resolve to work through thick and thin to make the Association a success.

The formation of this Ghanaian Association is the third such attempt in Auckland, after two similar attempts failed due to internal disagreements and wrangling. A visit to New Zealand by the Ghana Ambassador to Japan, Dr Adjei-Bawuah in December 2002 provided a welcome boost to the morale of Ghanaians in Auckland. Capitalizing on the opportunity presented by this august visit, a fresh attempt was initiated by opinion leaders in the Ghanaian community to build a strong Association that can rise up to meet the challenges and responsibilities facing us, as Ghanaians. To this end a well-attended New Year?s party was held in January 2003, as a prelude to forming the Association, where a constitutional committee chaired by Mr John Dorbu, a barrister, was tasked to draft a guiding document for the Association. The Dorbu committee has since presented the draft constitution to the interim executive for further action.

At the Independence celebration, two members of the interim executive, Mr Emmanuel Ntreh and Mr. Peter Mensah presented a report to the gathering on the progress being made to formalize the Association. Touching on the draft constitution, Mr. Ntreh made it clear that the draft has been sent back with comments to the Constitutional committee. It was agreed at the meeting that the draft constitution should be presented to the members for discussion after which the Association will be formally registered with the appropriate authorities in New Zealand. Mr. Peter Mensah gave a financial update on some expenses of the Association and how these are being met with the contributions of members.

He encouraged those present to help defray the costs in organizing activities such as the Independence celebration. Overall, there was a feeling that Ghanaians in Auckland, New Zealand are now set to follow the example of Ghanaians in other countries, by using the Association as a vehicle to contribute their quota to the building of our homeland, Ghana.

The celebration continued with the serving of popular Ghanaian dishes and the playing of well-selected Ghanaian tunes, which saw both the young and old taking to the floor with some dazzling moves. Miss Ama Ampofo rounded off the evening with a vote-of-thanks and the next meeting of the Association has been scheduled for 20th April 2003.