After 6 years of partisan bickering, maladministration, lack of funds, and lack of vision, the Ghana National Council of Metropolitan Chicago, GNC, has finally emerged under President Ebenezer Antwi-Nsiah as a community organization with a plan, a purpose, a vision and mission; and it is uniting the Ghanaian community.
It was no surprise when the president received several emails from some community members who had previously been skeptical about the GNC, thanking him for the back-to-school event held on September 13, 2015 and expressing their belief that the GNC is finally on the right track.
For starters, GNC monthly meetings that were filled with yelling and talking at each other rather than to each other are now cordial, respectful and meaningful. The President insists at all meetings that everyone should be allowed to make their point.
After inheriting nothing from the previous regime, the GNC can now boast of over $21,000.00 within two years in office. This is made up of over $12,000.00 in its coffers and over $11,000.00 in receivables from organizations. Ghanafest 2015 was one of the best display of Ghanaian culture in recent memory. Although ticket prizes were reduced from $15.00 to $10.00, the GNC made a profit of about $8,000.00. The independence celebration dinner held in March 2015 yielded a profit of $7,000.00 with ticket prices of $40.00 against $75.00 charged in previous years.
The administration released its business plan for 2016 and it includes a back-to-school event in July 2016 for school children, essay competition, mentors for about 200 Ghanaian children, scholarships for 10 Ghanaian college-bound children, life insurance for Ghanaian seniors who do not have any, two field trips for Ghanaian children and two trips for Ghanaian seniors. The plan also has technological and financial support for Ghanaian businesses within the Diaspora. The administration is also planning to buy or lease a Ghanaian Cultural Center by the end of 2016. The center will serve as a location for Ghanaian events, a library and to serve as homeless feeding center and many others. The administration is planning to feed about 5,000 people on Thanksgiving in 2015.
Under President Ebenezer Antwi-Nsiah’s administration the Ghanaian community in Chicago is scheduled to open a consulate in Chicago by the end of December 2015.
The young administration led by Ebenezer Antwi-Nsiah has shown the poise, transparency and astute leadership needed to move the community forward.
Source: GhanaWeb
