It was fun and excitement when the Ghanaian community in Medway (Southeast of England) and its surrounding areas, came together to celebrate Ghana’s 55th Independence Day Anniversary on Saturday, March 10th, 2012 at Melville and Brompton Resource Centre in Chatham, under the theme ``Empowering the Ghanaian Youth in Medway through Culture Awareness”. The celebration organized by the Medway Ghanaian Association (MGA) an ethnic minority association of Ghanaians and Ghanaian descent residence in Medway was attended by the Hon. Rehman Chishti MP for Gillingham and Rainham, Councillor Adam Price, Labour councillor for Gillingham North, Medway Police, citizens of other West African countries as well as guests from the Medway Council, other Africa Association, the clergy, members of the newly inaugurated Ghana Student Society at Medway Universities and the general public.

The event started with an opening prayer followed by a welcome address by Kwashie Amartei Anang. The Chairperson for the occasion Dr. Deborah Obeng-Tuudah was then introduced by Anita Obese-Acquaah, after which the Ghana National Anthem was sung led by Felicia Bruce-Smith. The chairman of MGA, Mr. Noah Kantoh gave a brief speech on the vision of MGA and thanked the youth in Medway for making parents in Medway proud by not participating in the riots which engulfed the UK last summer.

In remembrance of the heroes who fought for Ghana’s independence, a minute silence was then observed. The hall was thrown into a state of excitement, when Gilbert Baffour Takyi, performed beautifully the ‘Azonto dance’ (a contemporary Ghanaian dance).

The height of the event was a speech by the MP in which he reminded Ghanaians of Ghana’s wealth in natural resources her fame in the world of football. He also emphasised that anyone living in Gillingham has every opportunity to achieve whatever he or she wants to achieve in life, he also registered his readiness to support any group, such as MGA, who is ready to help develop Gillingham. In his final words, he extended an invitation to MGA and it members to pay a visit to the Parliament House in Westminster.

The MP’s speech was followed by a presentation by a representative of the Kent Police, PC Stable,who spoke on Policing in Medway. His emphasis was on the difference between the 101 and 999 numbers. He reiterated that although both numbers would alert the police, 101 is for non-emergency situations while 999 is for emergency situations.

Mr. Rashid Seidu then presented a documentary entitled, “The birth of Ghana”, which gave a historical background on Ghana’s journey towards the attainment of independence from Britain on March 6, 1957, led by the late Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first Prime Minister.

Cllr Adam Price’s presentation on UK Education followed immediately after the documentary. In his speech, Cllr Price did not hesitate to express his joy in being part of the celebration as it gave him memories of Ghana, where as had live with his parents many years back.

There was also a presentation from a team of lawyers led by Mrs. Primrose Nakunzva on immigration, in which Ghanaians were encouraged to use the right processes to invite family members over to the UK for visits.

There were fraternal speeches from well wishers such as the African Peoples Advocacy led by Dr. Sylie Aboa-Bradwell, she spoke on how we can access information as an ethnic minority group in Medway. A cake in the colours of the Ghanaian flag was cut as well as champagne popped to commemorate the occasion. These were done by Ms. Josephine Henking and Mr. Socrates Aboagye respectively. Misters Socrates Aboagye and Josiah Ghartey-Reindorf led the fundraising session.



Finally, the vote of thanks and closing prayer was given by Ms. Sarah Bernasko and Pastor Emmanuel Oladipo(head Pastor of Kingdom Exchange Ministry) respectively.

The speeches were interspersed with poetry recitals by Ms Elizabeth Bernasko, Andrew Flemmy and Nii Amarh Anang. There was also an exhibition on Ghanaian arts and history by Mr David Larkai. The crowd was treated with mouth-watering Ghanaian cuisine which included, ‘banku’ and fried fish, ‘Waakye’, fried yam, ‘Kelewele’, dough nut (bofrot) and ‘Kyinkyinga’ (khebab) among others while DJ Nat Biney provided traditional Ghanaian highlife and contemporary music. The MC for the day was David Kwarteng with photographs and video coverage provided by Derek Nkansah. In attendance were other leaders of MGA; Olivia Ayensu, Marian Lartey Elizabeth Amoaa, Peter Bernasko, Kwashie Amartei Anang, Rashid Seidu, David Larkai Derek Nkansah and Isaac Ayensu.



Report by Mr Kwashie Amartei Anang (Researcher)