Two weeks from the coming weekend, it will be fifty-nine years when Gold Coasters transitioned into Ghanaians after gallantly wrestling political independence from colonial exploiters.
Ghanaians wherever never pass on the opportunity to remember the tremendous and heroic sacrifices that those who led the fight made, the dangers they faced and the odds they surmounted to lower the British flag and raise in its place the red-yellow-green horizontal stripes of a flag for a nation they will call their own. When we commemorate the historic event, we challenge ourselves to continue from where the early patriots left off, they having won this land for us by their blood, sweat and tears.
Since 1986, Ghanaians in the New York tri state area come together to toast the founding fathers and recognize latter day Ghanaians who strive to meet the challenges of building a nation and fashioning an honorable identity in the face of unforgiving global competition and self induced local impediments.
Saturday March 5, 2016 will be the twentieth edition of the annual affair. It will take place at the stately Castle Royal Hall, 92 Waverly Street, Yonkers NY 10701 from 9 p.m. till 3 the next morning. It is a black tie affair to which patrons will be treated to a full course dinner, open bar, good dance music and dance performances to tickle patriotic and nostalgic fancies. A side attraction will be the award of a round trip ticket to Ghana to the person with the best smile, courtesy of Brussels Airlines. You will enjoy all these all for a paltry contribution of $60.00. Whatever remains of this (after cost) serves as the ONLY source of financing for the National Council of Ghanaian Associations, the organization that struggles to keep the Ghanaian brand visible in the American multicultural soup mix.
This year’s slate of distinguished Ghanaians to be honored at the event include Dr Victor Essien, an attorney who has given nearly thirty years of dedicated and selfless service to the community, Mr. Joseph Danquah an award winning science and math teacher in the New York City Department of Education, Dr Victor Lawrence, renowned engineer and inductee into the prestigious Hall of Inventors, Mr. Kwasi Enin, the whiz kid who made history by gaining admission into all eight Ivy League schools in the US. There will also be honorable mention and tribute to elders, community leaders and organizers.
Prior to this, the Mayor Mike Spano and the City of Yonkers will salute Ghana in a flag raising ceremony at the City Hall on Friday March 4, 3 p.m. This is the very first time that an African nation is being recognized in the historic city. Admission is free and open to all.
Ambassador to the UN Mrs. Ama Akyaa Pobee is our Special Guest of Honor.
For further information, you may call: 718 690 6873, 914 473 4792, 914 646 8375, 917 683 0592.
National Council of Ghanaian Associations, NY
