Ghana National Council

Podcast of Live Radio Coverage by Adepa Radio

..................Ghanafest08; Ghanaians Rock "Obama Town!"

Chicago, July 27,2008: As expected,the only Ghanaian cultural exposition , home and abroad, that depicts cultures from all the Regions in Ghana and the largest cultural event in the Diasporas , Ghanafest, came off in Grand Style yesterday at the Historic Washington Park,Chicago.

The organizers of the festival, the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago must be congratulated for putting up such a large scale show employing their spare time and volunteering to make sure fans of Ghanafest are not disappointed annually.

The dignitaries were there to grace the occasion. Two presidential aspirants, Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, leader and flagbearer of the Convention Peoples Party, CPP, and Dr. Edward Nasigri Mahama, presidential candidate and Flagbearer of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) displayed a lot of maturity and goodwill when they warmly shook hands to dispel any notions that the recent ill-fated merger of their parties might have affected their personal relationship.After two years absence, the Minister of Culture and Chieftaincy, Honorable S.K Boafo, came back to "Obama Town" to celebrate and be part of this unique festival once again.

A crew of TV 3 from Ghana covered the celebrations gavel to gavel . They will broadcast it later to their viewers in Ghana. Adepa Radio broadcasted the celebrations live to its listeners.

For the first time, a Ghanaian traditional chief outside Chicago, the Chief of Ghanaians in Ohio, participated fully.

The Ga-Adangbe Organization stole the show this year from the rest of the affiliate organizations of the Ghana National Council by first dressing in Red whilst sprinkling the traditional kpokpoi and later carried their Chief and Queen in a Palanquin amidst pomp and pageantry. That was the first time a Palaquin was used at Ghanafest.

In his keynote address, Honorable S.K Boafo thanked the Ghanaian Community in Chicago for instituting Ghanafest."One remarkable observation is that, although you are thousands of miles away from home, in a different environment altogether, you still cherish your rich cultural heritage. You have worked tirelessly to institute Ghanafest as an important annual event to showcase Ghana's cultural diversities which bring us together as one people!"

Mr. Boafo informed the audience that this year, his Ministry will undertake cultural awareness in communities, schools and churches in Ghana.

In his welcome address, Mr. John Henry Assabill noted that, Ghanafest 2008 cost $23,000.00 to put together. The City of Chicago approved a grant of $850.00 for Ghanafest 2008. The Affiliate organizations provided $5,500.00 to support the event. The rest of funding, $16,650.00 was raised through the hard work of the Executives of the Ghana National Council.

In conclusion,Mr. Assabill told his audience that, “It is worthy of note that a new administration was sworn-in for a three (3) year term which began in January 2008 and end in December of 2010. Ghanaians in Chicago are privileged to have some of the finest in the community to serve them. Equally, this administration is lucky to have unqualified cooperation and support from the former President Reuben C. Hadzide. This is healthy for the community and we are thankful.”

Attendance was mainly Ghanaians from across the States in the USA, Canada, Europe and Ghana. Majority of non-Ghanaians were African-Americans, a few Hispanics and whites who are mainly former Peace Corps members who served in Ghana. The Sankofa Group, a Ghanaian traditional Music and Dance group from Cincinnati , Ohio, entertained the crowd to Kete and Adowa. D.J Sam Q returned after a two year break with fantastic selections of High Life and Hip Hop Music. There were traditional Ghanaian foods, African arts and craft at the festival. Attendance at this year’s celebrations was projected around 15 thousand.

The Main Sponsors of the festival are Money Gram International, Ghanaweb, Annakka Enerprise and The African Spectrum.

Source: Bedzra Consultant L.L.C.


Executives of the GNC	President of the GNC, John Henry Assabill Delivering his Welcome Remarks

Executives of the GNC	Minister of Chieftaincy and Culture,Hon. S.K Boafo,Delivering the Keynote Speech

Haske Society	Adowa Dancer

Okuapeman Association	Okuapeman Association

Okuapeman Association	Okyeman Association

Okyeman Association	Dr. Mahama greeting S.K Boafo

Brong-Ahafo Association	Brong-Ahafo Association

From Lt. Mr. Yeboah,Dr. Nduom,Mr. Assabill,Hon. S.K Boafo,Dr.Mahama,Alhajie Baba Cisse,Mr. Boafo	Dr. Nduom and John Henry Assabill, President of the GNC

Brong-Ahafo Chief Greeting the keynote speaker	Dr. Nduom picking a raffle draw ticket

Okwahu Chief greeting the dignitaries	Okwahu Chief dancing

Okwahu Chief dancing	Okwahu Queen dancing

Okwahu United Association	D.J's Sam Q and Reggie

Ghana Northern Union	Ghana Northern Union

Ghana Northern Union	Ghana Northern Union

Ewe Association	Mr.and Mrs. Nduom at Ghanafest

Dignitaries	Dignitaries

Haske Society	Okuapeman Asspciation

Henry Assabill and Tiffany Mayfield, Chicago Park district Supervisor	Sankofa Cultural group

Okyeman Association	African Spectrum Stand at Ghanafest

Officers of Chicago Police at Ghanafest	Dignitaries

Dignitaries	Dignitaries

Dr. Mahama waving to the crowd	The historic Handshake after their parties failed in an attempted merger, Dr's Mahama and Nduom

First Prize Raffle winner,receiving her price from Hon. S.K Boafo	Josephine Appiah and Chicago Public School Cameraman

From Lt. John Henry,Hon. S.K Boafo and Berlinda McKwartin	Rose Amoonoo Rendition the American Anthem

Rev. Dr. Kofi Noonoo, Alhajie Baba Cisse and an Imam from Ghana	S.K Boafo

Dignitaries	Linguists of the Affiliate Organizations

Bell Opondo of Money Gram International Receiving an award to Money Gram from the President of the GNC, John Henry Assabill	Fante Benevolent Association

Fante Benevolent Association	Fante Benevolent Association

The chief of Ga-Adangbe Organization Sprinkling Kpokpoi at Ghanafest	The chief of Ga-Adangbe Organization Sprinkling Kpokpoi at Ghanafest

Haske Society	Revelers

Asanteman Association	Asantefuohene of Chicago Greeting Dr.Nduom

Asantefuohene of Chicago dancing	Young Adowa dancer

S.K Boafo, Amoabeng and Nana Owusu Ansah	Ga-Adangbe Chief and Queen Riding in a Palaquin

Ghana Northern Union	Okyeman Association

Okwahu United	A Chief from Ohio

Adowa Dancers	Asanteman Association

Asanteman Association	Dr. Awah of Korle-Bu Medical Center, Chicago

The crowd invades the band Stand	The crowd invades the band stand

Margaret Siaw pitching for ticket sales of her BlackRock Concert	The Huge crowd

The crowd	S.K Boafo greeting the chiefs and elders from Ohio

S.K Boafo and Berko Akoto shaking hands at Ghanafest	GNC Vice President Dr. Asibey Mensah, S.K Boafo and the President, John Henry Assabill