THE EWE ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO, INC.
A SHORT HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
The idea to form an association that would bring all Ewes together in the Chicago Metropolitan area for the a common purpose was hatched at the residence of Dr. & Mrs. Samuel Oklu located at 5483 South Hyde Park in August 1974. Present at the meeting were the following: Mr. Gilbert Kodzo Ntow, Mrs. Comfort Kokuma, Mr Julius Kokuma, Mr. Samuel Asumah, Mr Yaphet Sampram, Mr. Sampson Ababio, Mr. Kofi G. Agbley, and Mr. Kofi L. Asima.
The first meeting in September 1974 of the new association was held in the basement of Mr. Gilbert Ntow located at 6824 Harper. The new name of the association called Milenovisi Habobo on a suggestion of Mrs. Comfort kokuma, was adopted at this meeting. Present at the meeting were the following: Dr. George Abatso, Dr. Emmanuel Bansa, Mr. & Mrs Francis Kokuma, Ms.& Mrs Kudzo Adigbli, Mr Agbeko (deceased), Dr. Evans Fiakpui, Dr.Richard Nyako, Mr. Kafui Amegashie and Mr. Edmund Kwaku. The 1st officers elected at that meeting were: Dr. Samuel Oklu, Chairman, Mr. Kafui Amegashie Secretary, and Mr. Gilbert Ntow as the Treasurer. The chairman remained in his position till 1976.
The founding was quite a historical landmark as it was the first African ethnic community association in North America. It paved the way for the growth of African Associations based on ethnic identities through out the United States.
The Association was incorporated in November 1996 as Milenovisi Habobo Inc. of Metropolitan Chicago and a constitution adopted. The members of the constitution writing committee included Mr.Clement Timpo as President, Mr. David Kportufe as Secretary and J.K. Adigbli as a member. In November 1996, a formal constitution was adopted. The first President following these changes was .........Since then other persons in that order have held the position of President:
Mr. Kwame Ampofo (1982-1990)
Mr. Clement Timpo (1991-1998)
Mr.Charles Hodogbey (1999-2000)
Ms. Patience Adigbli (2001-2002)
Dr. Mark Kutame (2003-present).
The constitution also provided for a traditional council with the first chief (Dufia) as Togbe Venya I (Kwame Ampofo). Members of his council included Togbe Kudzo Adigbli Fiato,(Chief’s father), Togbe Kafui Amegashie, Asafoatse, Togbe Akotsu Sampram, Zikpuito (Stool Father), Amega Kodzo Ntow, Tsiami (Linguist), Amega Kofi Fiadzigbe, Amega Kofi Boahene, Dr. Evans Fiakpui, Amega Dr. E.Bansa and Amega Dr. K. Tita Pongo as the Dume Metsitsi (Elders).
The first Queenmother (Nyonufia) appointed was Mama Abra Amexo (Mrs. Comfort Bediako). Unable to perform her responsibilities due to debilitating illness, Ms. Salma Tahir was appointed regent (Nyonufia Tefe Nola). On the passing of the queenmother, Ms. Salma Tahir became Nyonufia with the following as members of her council: Dada Patience Adigbli, Mamano (Mother of the Queenmother), Dada Otilia Tette, Tsami (Linguist). The elders (Dume Nyonutsitsi) included Dada Comfort Kokuma, Dada B. Mante-Konku, Dada Matilda Bosiako and Dada Lucy Dekayie.
Today, the Ewe Association faces many challenges. The association does not receive the full endorsement it once enjoyed. Dr Samuel Oklu put it succinctly when he noted in 1995 during the 21st Anniversary celebration of the association that the association had “fallen back to a more or less fringe status”. There are several sub-ethnic divisions among Ewe Community. Dr. Oklu once again captured the existence of the association vis-a-vis the subgroups that these subgroup interests will only acquire meaning if it leads to the promotion of the larger group interests.