The Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago, GNC, officially swore in the 2005-2007 executive body at a short ceremony during their first meeting of the year in Chicago yesterday. In his remarks yesterday to council members after the swearing in, the President of the GNC,Mr. Reuben Hadzide , noted that acquisition of a Ghanaian community center , popularly known as , Ghana House, is long over due.

The new executives comprise of the following:

Mr. Reuben C Hadzide - President
Mr. Ebenezer Antwi - Nsiah-Vice-President
Dr. Mark Kutame-Secretary.
Mrs. Jane Poku - Financial Secretary
Mr. Henry Assabill -Treasurer
Mr. Ernest Bugyei -Sergeant-at-Arm
Ms. Mariam Issaka -Publicity Officer
Mr. Cobby Boahene -Business Manager
Mr. Henry Sarkodee-Addo -Organizing Secretary
Mr. Osei Agyeman-Badu -Assistant Organizing Secretary
Mrs. Sally Owusu - Welfare and Community Development

"We are going to put Ghana House back on the fast track. Should you ask us if we need a Ghana House, the response will definitely be, it?s overdue. We are going to put in place a committee of dedicated Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians to help the GNC achieve this noble objective." declared the newly sworn-in president, Mr. Reuben Hadzide.

Reuben also said "We plan to put in place a committee that will look into the present constitution and come out with possible amendments within 8 months of taking office. The present constitution is riddled with resolutions, making it look like cut and past document. We intend to task a committee to look into the history of the Ghana National Council. We expect that within 6 months, the committee would have a document that will tell the story of this organization and recognize people who have put in their time, money and hard work to make it possible for us to be at where we are today! We are going to form proactive fundraising committee that will seek donors for the council?s programs and projects."
In conclusion, the president elect reminded the council that "Article X111 of the council?s constitution requests the council to set aside a percentage of membership dues and annual profit for development projects in Ghana."
In his short comments to council members, the Vice-President, Mr. Ebenezer Antwi-Nsiah appealed to council members to applaud the new executives and supplement their efforts. He also appealed to all council members to join in moving the Ghanaian Community forward. He reminded them that they did not have to be members of the executive to help. He called for council members to give constructive criticisms.
The out going president, Mrs. Elizabeth Bekoe promised to work tirelessly to help the new executives get a community center.
The outgoing secretary of the GNC, Mrs. Patience Adigbli presented to the council an award she received in December 2004 from United African Association, a Multi-National African Organization in Chicago.
Reverend Emmanuel Betson officiated the swearing in ceremony.