September 19 2009..The Family and Friends of Benjamin T . Lartey, popularly known as Ben Lartey, organized a fundraiser to support him in his battle with an ailment that has reduced his work capacity. Members of the Ghanaian community showed up at the London Town Houses Community Center to support Ben . Ben Lartey was the longest served Ga-Adangbe organization chairman and served on the Ghana National council for many years. He is also a member of the Ghanaian Cab Drivers Association in Chicago and a former member and manager of the defunct Ghanaian soccer club in Chicago,Sahara.

GNC PRESIDENT'S TRIBUTE TO BEN LARTEY

Mr. Chairman, Nananom, Niimei, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honored to be nominated to stand here in testimony of a distinguished gentleman in the name of Benjamin Lartey.

This is a man of few words with a trade mark word…:”hold on”…He is a very smart guy but slow to speak. Very visionary but keeps to himself. Now that he is not there, we all understand what his ...”Hold ons” mean.

Ben Lartey has been a community leader for years. Well, no one is perfect but the few things I know about him is that no matter how much he fights for what he believes in, he is always ready to move on with the person or persons he disagrees with. Ben at times acts for the voiceless.

The days the council did not have a rule for quorum, Ben was a "filibuster". He will speak and anger the opposition till enough members on his side arrives to prevent a vote from taking place. That is how he defeats the opposition and make sure majority of the council members get the chance to talk about the motion under discussions.

He could argue with his opponents but will surely attend their function the next day. Ben had a heated argument with the former president, Mr. Timpo, later that evening, Timpo had a heart attack. Ben was the first person to call the following day and ask others to check on Timpo....he was concerned! When Timpo left and had a birthday party for the wife, Ben was there to support him. That is the kind of person he is...........

This is the person who worked tirelessly for proper accountability and sustenance of the Council. At that time, we the younger ones thought he was full of fight but he was fighting for all of us. Today, the fighting is over because the proper thing has been done.

Today, the Council has changed tremendously because of men like Benjamin Lartey. Let us do whatever it will take to give him good health so that we would benefit from his wisdom and vision.

I thank you all dearly.

John Henry Assabill
President (GNC)

Community Shows Support for Ben Lartey.

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