E E R
GHANA INDEPENDENCE SPECIAL
F
ISSUE: 01 | APRIL - MAY 2015 |
UK
The gateway to the Ghanaian Community in the UK
GHANA AT
58 GHANAIANS IN THE UK CELEBRATE GHANA’S 58TH INDEPENDENCE IN GRAND STYLE Black Star Magazine | 1
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CONTENTS Inside this edition GHANA INDEPENDENCE SPECIAL 6
From Gold Coast to Ghana. A country at a crossroads 58 years after independence. Contribution by Ade Sawyerr.
ISSUE: 01 | APRIL - MAY 2015 | UK WWW.BLACKSTARMAGAZINEUK.COM
GHANA AT
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Ghana at 58. Ghana High Comission Independence Celebration at the Jumairah Hotel, London.
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COVER STORY GHANAIANS IN THE UK CELEBRATE GHANA’S 58TH INDEPENDENCE IN GRAND STYLE
Ghana at 58. The Ghana Union UK Independence Celebration at the National Royal Hotel, London.
31
Ghana at 58. Ghana Diaspora Voice UK Independence Celebration at the Hilton Hotel, Southampton.
32
GUBA 2015. Ghana made products to be exhibited in London for the second time.
Ghanaian Pastor Fred Annin shortlisted for UK National Diversity Award.
ART & CULTURE
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
34 “We have the responsibilty to preserve our Ghanaian Cultural Identity”. An interview with Pamela Sakyl.
COMMUNITY NEWS 36 30 “ME FIRI GHANA” Launches “Future
of Ghana” Publication.
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The importance of using our Ghanaian Languages in our homes in the UK. Contribution by Kwame Otti.
AKWAABA ONE AND ALL!
EDITORIAL TEAM
EDITOR’S NOTE
Publisher & Editor-in-chief
Jean-Claude Ablet (a.k.a Papa) Deputy Editor & Advertising Manager
Publisher & Editor-in-chief
Yaa Oteng
Jean-Claude Ablet (a.k.a Papa)
Culture editor
G
Kwame Otti
hanaians are a singular breed of African. They can be found
Art & Graphic & Designer
across the four corners of the globe. From Toronto to Mumbai,
Abidemi Akinwonmi-Pedro
and from Reykjavik to Johannesburg, they always leave their indelible print across cities such as London, New York, Paris and
Photo Director
Nana Asamoah
Hamburg to name but a few. Ghana’s sons and daughters migrate, assimilate,
Business Strategy Consultant
recreate and integrate with unparalleled discretion and ease, adjusting to
Bidemi Alabi
their surroundings through marked determination and hard work. They are unfazed by the unpredictability of life’s numerous inevitable trials and
Special thanks to:
tribulations. Ghanaians and those of Ghanaian heritage are a colourful mix:
Peter Kobina Taylor Kwame Otti Adeyemi Sawyerr Emmanuel Kwesi Quayson Africanus Annan Wofa Lartey F. Alexander Kyere Boateng Golfried Mary Elisabeth Aku
business owners, hairdressers, nurses, doctors, premiership footballers, social workers, famous artistes, fashion designers, lawyers and even MPs. Black Star Magazine is here! This inclusive magazine is a long overdue celebration of Ghanaians. The eyes, ears and voice of the people, the culture, the society, the politics… It aims not only to inform on and promote all things Ghanaian, but also aspires to
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be a forum for sharing common experiences with other West African and
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Ghana and its people.
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Ghanaians across the globe celebrated Independence Day with customary gusto on 6th March. The UK was no exception!
Ghana Black Star is an independent publication
Both the Ghana High
Commission and The Ghana Union organised memorable and enjoyable
non-aligned to any political party or interest group
events in London, events that were attended by hundreds. What better
within Ghanaian communities in the UK. We are a
opportunity than this auspicious occasion to launch an Independence Day
leading source of reliable community information for Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians alike. Black Star
special as the pilot issue of Black Star Magazine?
magazine will be of interest and value to any person with an interest in Ghana, Ghanaians and Africans.
This special issue is packed with articles includinga historical background of
We examine and explain issues to assist in the
Ghana’s independence. It is literally bursting with an abundance of colourful
delivery of news, interviews and commentary in the
picturesthat are intendedto make readers feel that they were all a part of the
fields of business, community news, art, culture, religion, lifestyle, health, politics, music and sport.
celebrations. It is a well-known and acknowledged fact that independence
Where a contributor or writer expresses an opinion,
brought great changes to Ghana. The decision to come out in March, the
this does not necessarily represent the view or
month of Ghana’s independence, is designed to convey our hope and vision
pinion of Black Star Magazine or its publisher, and we will seek to give the facility of reply. Our
that Black Star Magazine will play a huge part in bringing about important
readership include influential Ghanaians across the
changes in thevarious communities of the Diaspora.
UK and beyond.
So join us in saying Akwaaba! To Black Star Magazine. Together let us embark
Permission & Disclaimer No portion of Black Star Magazine may be copied, transmitted,
duplicated
or
used
without
the
express written approval of the publisher. Africana Multimedia
Agency (
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responsibility in case of breach.
Ltd.
Accepts
on this journey, going from strength to strength, from magazine to MEGAzine!
no
Let us communicate, educate and celebrate! Black Star Magazine | 5
GHANA AT 58
Ade Sawyerr is a partner at Equinox Consulting a management consultancy that works on social and economic issues affecting disadvantaged communities in Britain. He can be followed on Twitter @adesawyerr or at www.adesawyerr.wordpress.com
FROM GOLD COAST TO
GHANA
– A COUNTRY AT A CROSSROADS 58 YEARS AFTER INDEPENDENCE
T
HE PORTUGUESE, Swedes, Danes, Dutch, German and British at one time or the other had some influence on the Gold Coast, either as trading or industrial partners. They had built forts and probably indulged in the slave trade, but it was not until the Bond of 1844 was signed by some seven coastal chiefs that the British had some authority over the administration of the colony of the Gold Coast, as Ghana was
of land to the British continued with the campaign against indirect rule that resulted in ordinary citizens being elected to participate in the Legislative Assembly with the chiefs and British officials. The National Congress of British West Africa formed in 1920 brought the campaign for self-rule to the agenda in Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ghana and Nigeria but it was not until 1947 with the formation of the United Gold Coast Convention that the fight took on a national significance. It was Kwame Nkrumah who broke from the UGCC in the earlier years to realise that dream of independence with the Convention Peoples Party in 1957.
ICON: Kwame Nkrumah in traditional dress prepares to enter the Ghana National Assembly in 1965 to open his second parliament
Nkrumah had been influenced by several PanAfricanists such as Marcus Mosiah Garvey, George Padmore, W E B Dubois and had participated in the 1945 5th Pan Africanist Conference held in Manchester, England, that was attended by other leading lights of the black emancipation movement.
then called. The Conference of Berlin in 1884-1885, when European countries met to formally partition and divide up the countries of Africa, endorsed European rule on the continent except for a few countries such as Abyssinia, now Ethiopia. For Ghana, the agitation for emancipation started much earlier than when independence was gained in 1957.
PROTEST The Aborigines Rights Protection Society formed in 1897 specifically to protest against the transfer
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It was in honour of Garvey’s Black Star Line that the black star was placed at the centre of Ghana’s flag. His vision was that “our independence is meaningless unless it is linked with the total liberation of Africa”. His challenge was “that new Africa is ready to fight his own battles and show that after all the black man is capable of managing his own affairs”. But either that his vision was too lofty to achieve or 58 years is too short a time to judge because there is still work to be done.
GHANA AT 58
Nevertheless, Ghana has come very far considering its inheritance at independence was a colonial economy. The social systems were underdeveloped, few hospitals and health care posts existed, no processing plants built for the cocoa, gold, and timber that were taken and therefore no added value or employment possibilities could be generated for the unemployed mass of the people. There were about 100 educational institutions in the 100 years of colonial rule when what was needed was the more than 1,000 established in the 10 years after independence. TECHNOLOGY Drastic measures were required and the only option was to dismantle the colonial economy with import substitution and rapid industrialisation using science and technology as a base to produce goods for the masses and provide jobs for the people. But the 1960s were not easy times for any emerging country. Most newly independent countries were caught in the middle of a Cold War, an ideological war between unbridled free market capitalism from the West against the socialism promoted by the East. Although Nkrumah emerged as one of the leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement, proclaiming boldly that “we face neither East nor West we face forward”, he was invariably caught in the war and fell victim to the American, tried and now perfected, foreign policy tool of regime-change through a CIA inspired coup d’etat in 1966 and with that the end of the independent development dream. It is as if Ghana has not been able to recapture the moments when it stood tall in Africa and was an inspiration to the rest of Africa and the black world. The military interventions did no good. These leaders have been the most corrupt and although they always claim that they are in government to correct the problems of multiparty politics, they stayed too long and lacked a vision for our development and growth. They did more harm than good to the economy and our social development.
In the first 35 years of independence military rule took up 22 years. It is only since 1992 that multiparty democracy has flourished and with that came renewed attempts to recreate the Ghanaian dream and to refocus on what Ghana needs to do to set the agenda for the black world again.
It was in honour of Garvey’s Black Star Line that the black star was placed at the centre of Ghana’s flag. INSIGNIFICANCE But the development plans of recent years pale into insignificance and relevance to the bold 7-Year Development Plan that Kwame Nkrumah tried to implement from 1964, which would have turned Ghana into an industrialised country by 1971, if there had been no military take over. The plans are no longer our own – Structural Adjustment Plans by the IMF, Vision 2020, Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy, Millennium Challenge, Millennium Development Goals are in reality all responses to requests that have been foisted on Ghana by development partners and multilateral agencies who insist on all sorts of inimical conditions before they can provide assistance. Ghana relies on donor aid to fund its recurrent government expenditure and there is little left for social investment that would yield any solid returns and add to sustainable economic growth. Whilst Western partners are only really interested in development of institutions, Ghana now has to rely on China for infrastructural development and, of course, they also want the natural resources on the cheap. GROWTH Economic growth at seven per cent is still the envy of matured economies and though there is pride and dignity as an independent country, there is a lot more that must be done to reclaim
the lost status as the trailblazer of Africa and the black world. Ghana is at a crossroads. The economy is facing some challenges at present: electricity generation, water distribution, standards of education, health care are all problematic and have not matched the growth in the population but without its own vision of development based on the needs of the people and competitive advantages with linkages with the rest of the black world, Ghana will remain a donor dependent country, even though it is now considered as a middle income country with per capita nearing $4 per day. No amount of adjustments and bailouts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other multilateral agencies will make the economy grow again. A political, social and economic transformation will only happen when Ghana starts doing things differently taking into account the needs of the people for jobs and using its own resources to make goods and services for the benefit of the people. Reinvestment in education is critical to create a skilled workforce that will produce goods and services on demand. Ghana must feed itself, it must develop and create industries out of its unique culture. It is only when the people are comfortable with what they have that governments will be able to address the international demonstration effect that makes the people crave goods that they do not produce. The need for industrialisation must be revisited and attitudes must change to focus on inculcating a new work ethic that will foster increased productivity. Ghana is a country blessed with rich natural resources but it will only prosper if there is a comprehensive plan for Ghana designed by Ghanaians and implemented by Ghanaians. It is always darkest before the dawn and the future for Ghana is certainly brighter than the past.
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GHANA UK HIGH COMMISSION PARTY
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GHANA AT 58 SPEECH BY
HIGH COMMISSIONER TO THE COURT OF ST JAMES’ H.E. VICTOR EMMANUEL SMITH, ON OCCASION OF 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF GHANA’S INDEPENDENCE AT THE JUMAIRAH HOTEL, LONDON MARCH 6TH, 2015
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H.E. VICTOR EMMANUEL SMITH
T
he Deputy Marshall, Catherine Nettleton,
played in the establishment of the OAU, the precursor
Hon. Members of Parliament,
of the African Union.
Excellency, Dean of the Diplomatic Corp, Excellencies, Colleague members of the
Independence brought with it many prospects and
Diplomatic Corps,
opportunities. But it also brought with it many
Distinguished Guests,
responsibilities. The war against ignorance, disease
Ladies and Gentlemen:
and illiteracy are far from over. Though we won the battle for political emancipation, we are still waging
My wife and I would first of all like to thank you, for
the battle for economic freedom.
honouring our invitation to today’s event marking the 58th Anniversary of Ghana’s Independence.
Dr. Nkrumah, was well aware of this when in his address on that fateful day, some 58 years ago,
We would also like to say, a big thank you to staff of
he fully acknowledged both the prospects and
the Mission and the hotel management for putting it
the responsibilities involved in the achievement of
all together so beautifully.
independence. He admonished us, each and every one of us, to strive at all times to use whatever abilities
Every year, on 6th of March, we remember the millions
and advantages were at our disposal to increase the
of brave men and women and the founding fathers
prosperity of our Country.
and mothers who organised and sacrificed, fought and lost their lives to give our country and indeed
As we reflect on the courage and determination
all of Africa, freedom from colonial domination and
of our people and the struggles waged by our
repression.
illustrious forebears, it is important that we assess our own contributions towards the sustenance and
As a touch-bearer in Africa’s march towards liberation
development of our dear nation and to rededicate
and economic emancipation the history of Africa will
ourselves to the task of nation-building.
be incomplete without making reference to the vision and outstanding contribution of our First President,
Excellencies,
Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah who was a pioneering
Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen:
advocate of Pan-Africanism and the pivotal role he
This year’s anniversary celebration is under the theme
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“Achieving Transformation Through
below age 35years. That means we
do instead is process more of those
National Unity”.
must create more jobs for our growing
beans into value-added products.
The theme is relevant at this time in
numbers of youth. They must have
We cannot continue to export unrefined
our history, when we desire to build a
opportunities available to them.
gold. We must refine to add value and get better returns. We cannot continue
coalition for transformation, involving all key segments of the society and
We cannot do this unless we transform
to export oil and gas. We need to inte-
agree on objectives towards social
our economies. It all comes down to
grate that industry into our economy.
and economic development, as well
value. We must value our resources,
as infrastructural and institutional
including our human resource. We must
We need to process petroleum prod-
development, in the short to medium
value our people.
ucts and produce power with the gas. We cannot continue to export bauxite
term. Our Government is determined to build
and then turn round to import alumina
To achieve this transformation goal,
an economy that rewards hard work
to feed our local Aluminium smelter.
Government has put forward a plan
and nurtures Ghanaian entrepreneurs
We need to work toward creating an
for governance and socio-economic
and businesses whose prospects will
integrated bauxite and Aluminium in-
development based on four basic
not be tied to political cycles and pa-
dustry in Ghana.
pillars:
tronage. In this way, by keeping the concept of
1. Putting People First –
value addition at the fore-
Education, health and social
front of our economies, we can
protection;
create new jobs for our young
2. Building a Strong and
people. We can do this with
Resilient Economy;
local and foreign investors who
3. Expanding Infrastructure for
share our vision. Often the
Growth; and
Western world wrongly as-
4. Maintaining Transparent and
sumes that we in Africa do not
Accountable Governance.
know our worth.
The agenda to transform the
We do. It’s not sympathy we
structure of the economy and
want; its partnership, the ability
position it as an export-driven
to stand on our own feet. It’s
rather than an import-focused
not handouts we are in search
economy is on course through
of ; we want opportunities.
diversification, value addition to our primary products, promo-
Excellencies,
tion and patronage of made-in-
Distinguished Guests;
Ghana products. Government is collaborating with the private
As I speak, our nation is
sector which is regarded as
confronted with challenges
engine of growth through various in-
We are pursuing a rapid economic
of providing adequate electricity to
terventions leading to inclusive growth,
development program with a sense
power industry, business and residential
socio-economic development and job
of urgency in order to create new jobs
consumption.
creation.
particularly for our youth.
Excellencies,
We cannot continue to be exporters of
the power deficit are clearly felt in our
Distinguished Guests:
raw material and primary produce. We
work places, our homes, schools and
need to add value to our exports. We
hospitals. The negative impact of the
Africa has a fast growing population,
cannot continue to export raw cocoa
power shortage is felt much more today
more than 50 per cent of which is
beans from Ghana. What we need to
not only because of the growth of our
The effects and frustrations posed by
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GHANA AT 58
economy, but also because many more
Ghana is an active and committed
the three most affected countries as
people have access to electricity than in
member of the Commonwealth and
they rebuild their structures to ensure
the past.
indeed last October, we were honoured
reliable health and emergency systems’.
by Her Majesty, The Queen, when she
West Africa has seen enough war and
Our illustrious President has sworn to FIX
gave private audience to our President
strife. We want peace and security to
this problem.
and First Lady Mahama at the
persist in our sub-region so we can de-
Buckingham Palace.
velop sustainably. Ghana will continue to play its role in
He is determined to, as quickly as possible, address the short-
Excellencies,
strengthening the Economic Community
term challenges as well as pursue
Distinguished Guests,
of West African States (ECOWAS) to
Government’s medium-term
Ladies and Gentlemen:
make sure it achieves its goal.
Our President has declared Ghana’s
On such auspicious occasion, Excellen-
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
resolve to be a beacon of peace in the
cies, we salute our compatriots in the
In addition to Infrastructural develop-
West African sub-region. He promised
United Kingdom, who have contributed
ment, Good governance, Transparency
the world that Ghana would not allow its
their quota in diverse ways towards our
and the fight against corruption form
territory to be used in any manner what-
country’s socio-economic development.
an integral part of the transformation
soever to destabilize other nations.
development strategies.
The Ghana High Commission will con-
agenda. Ghana cherishes the deepening of her democratic dispensation; pursuit
Ghana has been steadfast in our co-
tinue to promote and protect the welfare
of good governance, sustainable eco-
operation with regional neighbours to
of Ghanaians in the UK. Government
nomic development, respect for rule of
maintain the security of those nations
will mobilise Ghanaians in the Diaspora
law, civil society and a vibrant media.
that are enjoying stability and to restore
through dialogue and effective engage-
security to those that have recently
ments towards socio-economic devel-
emerged from turmoil.
opment in Ghana.
In the last year we have seen the
We will continue to address concerns,
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
scourge of Ebola threaten West Af-
problems and grievances of Ghanaians
Our relations with the United Kingdom
rica’s socio-economic development
in the United Kingdom and Ireland in a
at the bilateral and multilateral levels is
but thankfully, through the combined
proactive and effective manner with the
strong and vibrant.
efforts of ECOWAS, under the leader-
ultimate goal of facilitating the contri-
ship of Ghana’s President John Mahama,
bution of Ghanaians in national devel-
Our two countries have shared values
W.H.O and the United nations, as well as
opment.
of democracy, rule of law, human rights
our development partners UK, America,
and sustainable development. It is our
France and Japan, we have been able to
We will encourage active participation
hope that our relations will be further
contain the disease from spreading and
in national development, through the
enhanced within the framework of the
doing extensive damage to our sub-
Professionals Skills Database, to tap the
High Level Prosperity Partnership for
regional economy.
skills and expertise for socio-economic
the mutual benefit of our people.
development. We are not out of the woods yet. Our
The Prime Minister David Cameron has
President has appealed to the inter-
Excellencies,
commended Ghana as an oasis of peace
national community to begin to look
Distinguished Guests,
and political stability on the African
seriously at the Post-Ebola period in
Ladies and Gentlemen:
continent and encouraged Ghana to
these countries and we must com-
I Thank you.
play a leading role in the maintenance
mend the IMF for moving proactively
of peace and stability in other coun-
and responding to the calls by ECOWAS
tries.
through the AU for debt cancellation for
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dance dance
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GHANA UNION UK PARTY
GHANA AT 58 Ghana Union has seen a massive transformation over the past year. We embarked on re-engaging the wider community to re-affirm our mutual commitment towards achieving the best possible service outcomes for Ghanaians and friends of Ghana living in UK.
SPEECH BY
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GHANA UNION EMMANUEL KWESI QUAYSON ON THE OCCASION OF THE 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF GHANA’S INDEPENDENCE DINNER DANCE AT THE NATIONAL ROYAL HOTEL, LONDON MARCH 14TH, 2015
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H
is Excellency, Victor Emmanuel Smith, Your Excellency’s, Ambassadors
of our sister nations here present, Nananom, Leaders of Regional Ghanaian Unions, Ghana Union Board Members, our Proud Sponsors, (Gilmans Funeral Services, Samba Money Transfer International, JF Law Solicitors, Unity Link Money Transfer, A2 Solicitors, Akro Pharmaceuticals Company Limited and Labara Groups of Companies) Distinguished Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. Union, Mr Kwame Adu, and all previous
the previous administration left but
It gives me great pleasure to wel-
successive chairs, Mr Ade Sawyer, the
with a focus on making Ghana Union
come you once again on behalf of
late Imam Plaha and others whose
even more effective as an organisation
Ghana Union, to the celebration of
voluntary sacrifice had steadily carried
than ever before.
58 years since Ghana’s attainment of
through Ghana Union in its 38 year
Independence.
history.
Before I proceed, I wish to recall with
Please permit me also to place on
realistic and measurable outcomes are
gratitude, the role played by our
record, my personal homage to current
achieved, and I am therefore pleased
forebears in the struggle to en-
Senior advisors of my administration,
to say that, only last week, Ghana
sure Ghana’s self-governance and
Mr Abeka Gogo, Nomo Kabu Charway,
Union received its first community
responsibility for our own affairs. I
Mr Sam Tsipotey and many heads of
Recognition Award under my leadership
would go even further to state that
community affiliated groups under
from a reputable UK based organisation
but for their initiative, bravery and
Ghana Union, for their selfless and
for Ghana Union’s contribution to the
Sacrifice, most of us may never have
continued sacrifices towards the good
Ghanaian Community in UK.
had the privilege of being before you
course of promoting the Ghana Union
Last year, we held our first very
today.
in their communities here in UK and
successful annual dinner dance as a
Ghana.
board and were able to bring to the
We set out to do this in various ways and also ensuring that tangible,
community the following from proceeds
Ladies and Gentlemen, Ghana Union
of that event.
has seen a massive transformation
Ghana Union in its 38 year history has
over the past year. We embarked on
been very fortunate to have enjoyed
re-engaging the wider community to
your dynamic leadership of all of you
Independence Dinner Dance 2014 -
re-affirm our mutual commitment
over the years and I hope, as current
Ghana Union has set up an advisory
towards achieving the best possible
chairman, together with my board of
service, free of charge for all members
service outcomes for Ghanaians and
directors, we are able to continue and
to access on all range of issues
friends of Ghana living in UK.
improve on your legacies before passing
including, Immigration, Welfare,
the baton on to others to do the same.
Housing, Taxation, Employment, Criminal Law, Wills, Probate and many
At this point, may I also pay homage to the former Chairman of Ghana
Ghana Union is carrying on from where
more,
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GHANA AT 58
The service was launched on 7th
Greater London and the south east
operation and support over the years.
November, 2014 at the Ghana High
Regions.
I also thank our partner Unions in the regions, Ghana Unions of Midlands,
Commission premises in Highgate. Such a service is essential but without
Capacity Building - Ghana Union
Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford, and
people using it, the benefits will be lost.
set the agenda for capacity building in
Leeds for their positive collaborative
I therefore ask you all to patronise the
February, and has carried out two train-
work with Ghana Union over the year.
service and help to keep it going.
ing sessions for Corporate and Board members.
Community Fora - The Union held its
Thanks also to our High Commissioner and his staff and all Ghanaian
first Community Forum that saw pro-
Plans are also underway to hold a
Community based organisations in
fessionals and staff of the Ghana Mis-
volunteer training sessions, risk assess-
UK for their efforts, working with us
sion attending to inform and educate
ment workshops and members develop-
together in promoting our unique
the community on many issues as well
ment day.
Ghanaian identity, helping to bring back the community spirit and unity among
as answer some burning questions. This year, Ghana Union will hold its first fo-
Ghana Union Youth Talent Show
rum in April and 2nd Forum in June 2015
- Youth engagement is one of the key
and we encourage you all to participate.
elements on the Ghana Union agenda
Above all, and last but not the least, my
all Ghanaians in the UK diaspora.
and this month will see the first event
thanks to the dedicated Board of direc-
Ghana Community Newsletter
specifically aimed at having a dialogue
tors of Ghana Union for their voluntary
- Ghana Union launched a quarterly
with our Ghanaian youth and young
commitment and hard work towards
newsletter to strengthen its commu-
people.
driving the Union forward.
members and affiliated groups. The
I am confident that, with your continued
thanks to you all once again for your
1st edition is published for you today
support and participation, Ghana Union
continued support and patronage of
to take home and digest its content.
will improve and grow significantly
Ghana Union events over the many
The Union welcomes your contribu-
in the coming years and I take this
years.
tion to make this quarterly newsletter,
opportunity to thank each and every
Long live Ghana Union. Long live
a mouthpiece for Ghanaians within the
one of you for your continued co-
Ghana.
I wish to express my sincere and final
nications and engagement’s with its
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GU
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
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BUSINESS
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GHANA DIASPORA VOICE BALL
GHANA AT 58
GHANA AT 58
GHANA DIASPORA VOICE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 58TH ANNIVERSARY OF GHANA’S INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION BALL AT THE HILTON HOTEL SOUTHAMPTON MARCH 29TH, 2015
26 | Black Star Magazine
An Exclusive Red Carpet black Tie Event
GHANA AT 58
T
he Ghanaian community in Hampshire celebrated Ghana’s 58th Independence Anniversary
Celebration with a colourful Ball in Southampton on Sunday 29th March 2015.
The event, which was organised by Ghana Diaspora Voice (GDV) under the auspices of Ghana High Commission – UK with support from Association of Ghanaians in Hampshire (AGIH) was held at the Hilton’s Hotel, Southampton.
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GHANA AT 58
The event brought together a cross section of the business community and friends of Ghana and was supported by various Ghanaian Diaspora Organisations across Britain. In his address, Mr Marricke Gane, an “International Development Expert”, highlighted the need for Ghana to speedily embrace and to leverage technology to advance its development agenda. His Excellency Emmanuel Victor Smith, Ghana High Commissioner to UK and Special guest of honour, called on all Ghanaians home and abroad to lend support to the Government of Ghana
dance dance
28 | Black Star Magazine
in its efforts to rapidly transform the
whose prospects will not be tied to
Ghanaian economy and sustained
political cycles and or patronage.
reduction of energy infrastructural deficit challenges to the country
The Mayor of Southampton, The Right-
currently faces.
ful Worship Sue Blatchford in proposing her toast called for more efforts at
His Excellency the High Commissioner
promoting Ghana’s tasty traditional
in his key note address stated ‘We are
dishes and expressed her admiration
pursuing a rapid economic develop-
for diversity of African communities
ment program with a sense of urgency
has brought to Hampshire. The districts
in order to create new jobs and oppor-
of Hampshire are the following: Basing-
tunities, particularly for the youth.’
stoke and Deane, City of Winchester, East Hampshire, Eastleigh, Fareham,
He further explained that Government
Gosport, Hart, Havant, New Forest, City
intends to build an economy that re-
of Portsmouth (unitary), Rushmoor, City
wards hard work and nurtures Gha-
of Southampton (unitary), Test Valley.
naian entrepreneurs and businesses
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Collins & Ama
go for the marriage of the year in Edgware
T
he spotlight was on Collins & Ama, as their marriage was blessed and followed by a party that will be talked about for a very long time in the Ghanaian community in Edgware, North London. After the traditional
African wedding ceremony in August 2000 in Dormaa Akwamu, Mr & Mrs Collins Twumasi decided to get their marriage blessed at Ambassadors of Christ International Church Ministries where hundreds gathered. The hall was well decorated whilst the tables were covered with sky blue coloured cloth which created an elegant ambience for the occasion. Over 500 people, friends and well-wishers of the couple jam-packed the spacious hall, in Allum Lane, Borehamwood. Collin and Ama have got three boys; Blessing Twumasi, David Twumasi and Philip Twumasi. The Asiedu family expresses their sincerest thanks to all who contributed in diverse ways to make the blessing celebrations a memorable one.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
“ME FIRI GHANA” LAUNCHES
“FUTURE OF GHANA” PUBLICATION
F
online
parents. The first issue of “Future of
The patron of the launch event was the
publication aiming to showcase
Ghana”features the top 30 young
legendary
uture
of
Ghana,
an
Ghanaian
photographer,
Ghana’s future Leaders, was
emerging talents under 30, who were
James Barnor, who has been credited
launched on Friday 27th March 2015,
picked from many nominees by five
with introducing colour processing to
at the Ghana High Commission in
judges including Dentaa Amoateng,
Ghana.
Highgate, North London. According
founder of the non-profit organisation,
to Ben Anim Antwi, Editor and also
GUBA awards, Andy Ansah, a former
MeFiri Ghana is an association which
Director of Communications of the
footballer who is now a businessman.
provides a route to engage with the Ghanaian and African communities
MeFiri Ghana (I come from Ghana in Twi) association, “Future of Ghana Leaders” (FOG) is an annual project dedicated to showcasing and nurturing Ghana’s leading young talent from around the world, who are pioneering and leading in their fields and industries”. The event which was hosted by Claire Clottey, presenter,
a
British-Ghanaian attracted
many
radio young
Ghanaians, friends of Ghana and
30 | Black Star Magazine
Future of Ghana (FOG) is an annual project dedicated to showcasing and nurturing Ghana’s leading young talent from around the world
living on the continent and within the Diaspora.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Ghana-made products to be exhibited in London for the second time
GUBA Expo 2015 The event will feature Exhibitions, seminars and networking.
Dentaa Amoateng, Founder of GUBA
A
fter last year successful event,
the UK, and create a platform for buyers
Awards, said: “The Expo is important,
GUBA is staging the second
to connect with potential suppliers. The
as currently in Ghana we import more
edition of exhibition for Ghana-
event will feature Exhibitions, seminars
then we export and it is an opportunity
made products on 18 and 19 September
and networking.
for Ghana to sell its products on the UK
2015 at Charlton Football Club in South
The Ghana
UK
Based
Achievement
two-day B2B event created by GUBA. The Expo will provide a platform for African-inspired products (clothes and accessories, furniture, cosmetics, food & beverages and many more) to be showcased, creating an opportunity for exposure and business development for the SMBs. In addition, the GUBA Expo 2015 will provide SMBs with access to industry experts who will share their
market. People are really excited about attending the event for a number of
East London. The GUBA expo is a
the GUBA Expo 2015 will provide SMBs with access to industry experts who will share their expertise on how to develop a successful business in the UK.
reasons: to learn about how to market their products and how to package them well for the big giants. Others are excited to see what Ghana has to offer to the world�. GUBA UK Based Achievement (GUBA) Awards, a non-profit organization aims to provide a platform for the best of Ghanaian businesses to showcase their products, services and innovations to the
expertise on how to develop a successful business in the UK. To equip African
(GUBA) Awards, which acknowledge and
UK and to the world, showing what Ghana
business owners with the knowledge and
highlight the talents and achievements
has to offer.
insight on procurement standards, supply
of British Ghanaians, is in its 5th year.
chain of major multinational companies in
Dentaa Amoateng, Founder of GUBA
Black Star Magazine | 31
COMMUNITY NEWS
Ghanaian Pastor Fred Annin shortlisted for prestigious UK National Diversity Award
T
he Rev. Pastor Fred Osei Annin, Founder of Actionplus Foundation UK and Ghana, who has championed HIV activism for 19 years
by campaigning against HIV and the associated stigma in churches in the UK and in Africa, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Excellence in Diversity Awards in the United Kingdom. Emma Houghton, Events Manager at National Diversity
Rev. Pastor Fred Osei Annin, Founder of
Awards, said an overwhelming amount of nominations
Actionplus Foundation UK and Ghana,
were received for this award which pays tribute to inspirational individuals and diverse companies that have showcased their incredible achievements to the equality agenda. Nominees will gather at The Midland Hotel, Manchester on May 14th, 2015, to celebrate their tremendous feats. The exclusive awards ceremony will applaud the extraordinary contributions of those who have gone above and beyond their corporate social responsibility, tackling issues internally and externally to influence change in the field of diversity and inclusion. The event is definitely one to mark down in your calendar. It will provide recognition for excellence regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, faith, religion and culture. In 2013, Rev Annin’s Foundation opened an HIV testing clinic in the church for the first time in the UK, and is now working with the Ghana AIDS Commission to reduce the stigmatisation of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Ghanaian society. This year, two conferences on HIV Health & Faith were held in two churches: the Living Springs International Church in Forest Hill led by Rev. Bamfo on Sunday 18th January 2015, on the theme “U2 Take Action Now”; and “U Test 4 Life” at the International Charismatic Church in Luton on Sunday 25th of January funded by the Near Neighbours. In an interview with Black Star Magazine, Reverend Pastor Fred Annin said,” one of the potent ways of dealing with HIV and AIDS is to encourage people to come out of the closet and that can only happen when society does not demonise them”.
32 | Black Star Magazine
Black Star Magazine | 33
ART & CULTURE
“WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PRESERVING OUR GHANAIAN CULTURAL IDENTITY”
Pamela Sakyi, Producer & Director of the investigative documentary, “British Ghanaians: Lost In Translation”. BSM: Can a person says: “Me Firi Ghana”
fact to be a Ghanaian? The birth place
Even though there were many occasions
when that person is not fluent in Twi or in
or the ability to speak a Ghanaian
where Ghanaian relatives and family
any Ghanaian language?
language?
friends were speaking Twi to each other
Pamela Sakyi: It’s a very complicated
I actually define myself as a British
in our house, they always spoke to me in
phrase in the context of one not being
Ghanaian. When I was younger I struggled
English (because they knew my parents
able to speak a Ghanaian language
with trying to adjust to being of a dual
had not taught me Twi). Although I picked
fluently. One of the first things many
identity, so I would often refer to myself
up little words here and there, I never
people use to identify where someone
as British and then I’d also ensure that
developed a fluency in the language.
comes from Ghana is whether they can
people knew that my parents were both
During my teenage years after visiting
speak the native language fluently.
Ghanaian. However, as I got older I grew
Ghana I tried to teach myself via some
more proud of both cultural backgrounds,
small books of Twi vocabulary, which I
From personal experience, whenever I
which I belong to and I redefined myself
acquired during our trip to Ghana, but
have boldly declared that “Me Firi Ghana”
as a British-Ghanaian. I think firstly
unfortunately I gave up learning whilst
the very next question people ask is
your birthplace should define you as
doing my GCSEs.
“oh, so which Ghanaian language do
being Ghanaian but if you are culturally
Let’s talk about the documentary you
you speak?” then, when I confess that
in tune with your Ghanaian culture with
produced recently, . Watching it, we
I can’t speak any Ghanaian language
the ability to speak a Ghanaian language
discovered that some Ghanaians in the
fluently, my declaration of belonging to
fluently, then I think this also gives you the
Diaspora are not fluent in their parent’s
Ghana is questioned and it loses weight.
authority to define yourself as Ghanaian.
Ghanaian languages. However, they are doing well professionally. Why the fact
To confidently say “Me Firi Ghana” is a personal conviction and a patriotic
How come you are not so fluent in your
of being a Ghanaian and not speaking
mindset. One that I personally believe can
parents’ languages?
Twi or any another Ghanaian language is
only be fully validated by a person who is
My parents spoke a little Twi to my elder
an issue?
fluent in a Ghanaian language.
siblings (not long after arriving in the UK from Ghana) but I am the baby of the
It is evident by the huge number of
How do you define yourself? A pure
family and by the time I arrived, they
successful
Ghanaians or a British-Ghanaian? For
were speaking good English to me but
have contributed positively to various
you, what should define the most the
continued speaking Twi to each other.
industries over several decades that they
34 | Black Star Magazine
British
Ghanaians,
that
ART & CULTURE
do not necessarily need to be fluent in
Boateng and Dentaa Amoateng all
for a few years now. There are books
Ghanaian languages to be successful.
agree that young British Ghanaians
and educational resources. There are
Both Ortis Deley and I can testify
should be able to speak their parent’s
Ghanaian language apps, Ghanaian
to this. However, successful British
language. But how can they promote
Associations and cultural gatherings,
Ghanaians have failed in being able
this idea?
which all play their part with helping British Ghanaians connect with their
to connect with our older (or younger) Ghanaian relatives who cannot speak English. We have failed with being able to confidently say that we can pass our Ghanaian languages to any future children we may have. We have failed in our contributing to the language endangerment
crisis
occuring
with
Ghanaian languages in the UK and this is a major issue of concern to the preservation of Ghanaian culture in the UK. Why
should
British
Ghanaians
embrace the Ghanaian culture and language while they define themselves as being British, not British-Ghanaian
It is evident by the huge number of successful British Ghanaians, that have contributed positively to various industries over several decades that they do not necessarily need to be fluent in Ghanaian languages to be successful.
Ghanaian cultural identity, heritage and languages further. However, there is still a great need for more of such projects and resources to be made more widely available to British Ghanaians living in the UK. Lastly, is this documentary a kind of autobiography? The documentary is definitely inspired by and includes my story of growing up with a dual identity. Working with Ortis Deley (and most of the main contributors) was a meeting of minds, in the sense that we shared some very similar experiences of growing up
in the first place?
not being able to speak a Ghanaian
The truth is that this is a choice
language
fluently.
I
wanted
the
every British Ghanaian is free to
Yes,
“British
documentary to deal as honestly as
make. Depending on their upbringing,
Ghanaians:
Translation”
possible, with a topic which has been
circumstances or personality character,
features many influential Ghanaians
somewhat of a taboo for many years,
one will choose whether or not to
who appeal to younger generations of
but also something that has been so
embrace the Ghanaian culture and
British Ghanaians, to try to learn their
very close to my heart.
languages. We have the opportunity
parent’s language(s). This is one way in
to lay a hold of the responsibility,
which they and the documentary as a
of preserving our Ghanaian cultural
whole, serve as a tool to encourage and
identity in the UK. I say “responsibility”
inspire more fluent Ghanaian language
carefully because as our parents get
speakers. However, it is vital that such
older and we remain residents in the
key Ghanaian
UK, there will one day be very little
raise the issue within their spheres of
connecting us to the richness of our
influence. It will be very helpful if they
Ghanaian cultural heritage. We will be
continue to connect with the cause
the only ones left that can try to help
and movement, which the documentary
keep the beautiful and unique culture,
promotes.
the
documentary Lost
in
figures
continue
to
stories and songs alive for the next generations in Britain. It will therefore
Concretely, what is out there over here
be our responsibility. Embracing our
in the UK to help them connect with
Ghanaian culture and language
also
their roots?
opens doors of opportunity - possible future business avenues in Ghana for
There are a lot more projects that exist
example.
than what is most commonly known. There is the Ghanaian Language School,
Some influential Ghanaians in the
which has been teaching hundreds of
documentary like The Rt Hon. Lord
British Ghanaians Ghanaian languages
Black Star Magazine | 35
ART & CULTURE
Mr. Kwame Otti is a Director, at CfAL Ltd. He can be reached on kwame.sammy@africamail.com or at www.centre4africanlanguages.com
THE IMPORTANCE OF USING OUR GHANAIAN LANGUAGES IN OUR HOMES IN THE UK
W
hat is a language? From Collins Cobuild
educational opportunity to every student, but there
Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary,
is very little in terms of bilingual education for Black
it is stated that “a language is a
students (any person with any known African black
system of communication which consists of a set of
ancestry) in Britain. What has been worrying education
sounds and written symbols which are used by people
experts for quite a long time is that there have been
of a particular country or region for talking or writing”.
many native languages such as Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali taught in the UK schools but most of the African languages are missing. It has also been found that Black children’s home values (culture) are missing in most British schools to the disadvantage of bilingual children. The only reference to African culture in schools is to their ancestors having been taken as slaves. This definitely affects their performance. Programmes and initiatives such as sports, music, drama, and poetry created by the government to encourage Blacks to do well in schools are colour-blind and have failed to improve their standard (Major, Gillborn & Sewell 1998). This is why we need to encourage the use of our mother tongue {Ghanaian languages} in our homes in the UK. Having studied and worked in a multicultural society in the United Kingdom for a very long time, I have observed
Britain is seen as embracing people from different
the importance of native languages to young people’s
countries with diverse linguistic and cultural
learning and development. Black students’ performance
backgrounds. The Government seems to provide equal
in the early years of primary school are found at or
36 | Black Star Magazine
ART & CULTURE
above that of their peers. But it starts
in our homes. The respect given to
services as a result of not being able
to decline in later primary years and
the native language would encourage
to speak the native language while
tails off badly after they go on to
our children to acquire the second
they are in holiday. Others too have
secondary school. By the time they get
language and build on what they know
suffered offences while on holiday
to GCSE level, they are found at the
(Bruce, 2001).
as a result of misunderstanding the
bottom of the academic pile (Gillborn,
Among the advantages impacting on
local language. A word to the wise is
D. & Mirza, H.S.(2000).
the use of our Ghanaian languages in
enough. It is therefore imperative for
our homes in the UK are :
us as Ghanaians to either ignore this menace and expect a consequential
Another issue at stake is that most parents are not able to communicate
a) Positive behaviour models which
economic catastrophe in the near
easily with their children at home.
are found to be the core of Ghanaian
future, or seek present solutions for the
Parents are found to use the native
culture
betterment of our future generations.
languages while their children speak
b) Respect for authority and others
the English taught in schools. Nelson
c) Hard work for development and
In conclusion I wish to state that the
Mandela makes an observation that
interpersonal relationships.
use of Ghanaian languages in our
when a child is talked to in a foreign
d) Giving something positive back to
homes is likely to succeed depending
language, it goes to his head. But
the community {generous sharing}
on the extent to which our languages
talking to him or her in their native
e) Acceptable behaviour in society.
and culture are incorporated into our
language, is something that goes to
f) Tested idioms {wise sayings in
daily life in Britain. The importance of
his or her heart {the most intimate,
Ghanaian languages}
our children’s educational development
most central part of our being}. It
g) Values in Ghanaian / African
cannot be over-emphasised, hence
is therefore useful to use Ghanaian
Stories, etc.
the need to encourage the use of our Ghanaian mother tongue in our
languages in our UK homes for our children’s identity to be respected and
Let us remember that British citizens
to abolish the communication barrier
are used to paying more for goods and
homes.
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ART & CULTURE
CLASSIFIED
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BUSINESS
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GHANA AT 58
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